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Local Legends Look Forward to First FIFA Arab Cup in Qatar Draw to Take Place at Katara Opera House on Tuesday

Local Legends Look Forward to First FIFA Arab Cup in Qatar Draw to Take Place at Katara Opera House on Tuesday

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MONday, APRIL 26, 2021 Local legends look forward to first FIFA Arab Cup in Draw to take place at Katara Opera House on Tuesday

Tribune News Network

Qatar will host the FIFA Arab Cup later this year, with the draw for the tournament taking place at Katara Opera House on Tuesday at 21:00hrs Doha time. Twenty-three national Khalid Salman, who famously scored a hat-trick for Qatar against teams will compete for the Wael Gomaa, regarded as one of Africa’s best defenders of all time. Brazil at the 1981 FIFA World Youth Championship. , former captain Qatar national team. trophy, with matches set to be played at six FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 venues. The tournament is regarded as a final The tournament is regard- rehearsal for the first World Cup in ed as a final rehearsal for the first WorldCup in the Middle the Middle East and Arab world, which East and Arab world, which will take place from 21 November will take place from 21 Novem- ber to 18 December 2022. to 18 December 2022. Ahead of the draw, qa- tar2022.qa caught up with a and will come into the tourna- Cup as a platform to showcase number of Qatar Legacy Am- ment wanting to make a state- some of the region’s talent to bassadors to discuss the tour- ment prior to the World Cup, the rest of the world. nament and its significance I am certain that the Qatari “I’m certain that Arab ahead of the World Cup. team will prove to be a difficult teams will have their say at Wael Gomaa, regarded as opponent,” said Khamis. the World Cup. In the past, one of Africa’s best defend- Despite the popularity of one could see the anxiety that ers of all time, said: “Firstly, the game in the Arab region, Arab teams felt when facing the Arab Cup will provide the the 23 participating countries football giants like Argentina Qatar 2022 organisers with an Ibrahim Khalfan, Qatari football legend. Adel Khamis, the first Qatari player to play abroad. have largely failed to qualify and Brazil. More recently, this important final test of stadi- past the second round at the has changed. Teams from the ums and all the related infra- Cup, in that the tournament ing tournament and one that “The Qatar national team Arab Cup™ as the champions FIFA World Cup, with Mo- region are now playing with structure that will play a key will unite fans and teams from shows teams from the Arab re- is in the midst of what will be of Asia after lifting the conti- rocco being the first country to much more confidence. This is role in hosting a successful across the Arab region, some- gion in the best possible light,” a very formative few months nental title in 2019 following make it out of the group stage as a result of many Arab play- World Cup. thing that no other football said Salman. in its preparations. Playing in an unbeaten run to the tro- at Mexico 86. Since then, only ers plying their craft in top Eu- “Secondly, Arab teams competition has been able to “And to play the tourna- the European qualifiers, along phy, which included victories Saudi Arabia and Algeria have ropean leagues,” said Mustafa. from Africa can use the tour- do at this scale in the recent ment at World Cup stadiums with their debut in the Gold against Saudi Arabia, , made it to the second round, “The Arab Cup, therefore nament as a welcome oppor- past.” while benefiting from World Cup, will provide key experi- Korea Republic and Japan. in 1994 and 2014 respectively. will be a celebration of this tunity to test their squads for Khalid Salman, who fa- Cup infrastructure, including ences for their growth as a Adel Khamis, the first Qa- Mubarak Mustafa, how- new, exciting style of play, and the African Cup of Nations set mously scored a hat-trick the transport network, train- squad,” said Khalfan. tari player to play abroad when ever, sees that the quality of will give the world an idea of to take place in early 2022, for Qatar against Brazil at ing sites and top-class accom- “The Arab Cup will provide he was signed by a Kuwaiti Arab teams has been gradu- what teams from the region whereas those Asian coun- the 1981 FIFA World Youth modation, will make it even yet another important expe- club in the late Nineties, be- ally improving in recent years, are capable of achieving on the tries which end up qualifying Championship, believes the more special.” rience before the World Cup lieves entering the tournament pointing to the fact that four world stage,” he added. for the World Cup can use Arab Cup will provide some For Ibrahim Khalfan, an- and comes as part of a com- as continental champions will teams from the region quali- The FIFA Arab Cup 2021™ the tournament to prepare highly anticipated clashes. other Qatari football legend, prehensive plan put in place give the players a boost. fied for the 2018 FIFA World draw will be held at 21:00 Doha themselves for the big stage,” “We will have current and the FIFA Arab Cup will be by the Qatar Football Asso- “Although many of the Cup in Russia. time on Tuesday, 27 April. The Gomaa added. former continental champions the culmination of an impor- ciation to prepare our team for participating nations in the In turn, the former captain draw will be streamed live on “Thirdly, there are the so- mixing it up with up-and-com- tant year for the next World the big stage.” Arab Cup will boast players of the Qatar national team is @roadto2022 and @road- cial implications of the Arab ing teams – it will be an excit- Cup hosts. Qatar will enter the FIFA from the world’s best clubs, looking forward to the Arab to2022en. Lamouchi praises Al Duhail Race for top spot: Al Sadd players’ efforts after ‘crazy’ 2-2 draw with Esteghlal ready for Foolad challenge AFC League champions defeated AFC Al Wehdat 3-1 and 2-0 to pull Jeddah themselves back into con- Al Sadd SC and Foolad tention but face a tough test Al Duhail SC head coach Sabri Khouzestan FC will face off in against Foolad. Lamouchi labeled his side’s a vital Matchday Five clash at The Doha-based club have 2021 AFC Champions League the Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Sta- made it past the group stage Group C draw with Esteghlal dium at 9pm on Monday, with in their past six appearances FC on Saturday as “yet another defeat not an option for either in the tournament, and head crazy match.” side in the race to win top spot coach will demand their In a thoroughly entertain- in Group D of the 2021 AFC best against Foolad, with Al ing encounter, Kenyan forward Champions League. Nassr to come on the final ’s brace for Al Back-to-back wins for Al Matchday. Duhail was cancelled out by Sadd against Jordan’s Al Weh- “It will be another tough Cheick Diabate and Mehdi dat saw the Qataris jump up to game again with Foolad, be- Ghaedi of the Islamic Repub- second place in Group D with Al Sadd coach Xavi Hernandez speaks to the media ahead of the AFC cause we’ve already faced lic of side as the draw fol- seven points, one adrift of lead- Champions League match against Foolad Khouzestan. them,” said Xavi. “We suffered lowed the Qatari team’s excit- ers Al Nassr of Saudi Arabia. in the first match of the com- ing 4-3 win on Matchday Three. Islamic Republic of Iran’s to reproduce Matchday One things difficult for them. petition. They’re a good team, The result meant Al Duhail Foolad are third on five points form when they face Al Sadd “We have shown that we well organised and aggressive remain unbeaten after four and need to win their final two again to ensure they remain are not less than other teams in defence. They know how to games, topping Group C with matches to stand a chance of within sight of the making the in the group, and we can com- take advantage of set-pieces, eight points, while Esteghlal Al Duhail were held to a 2-2 draw by Esteghlal FC late on Saturday. advancing. Round of 16 for the first time pete, I am proud of my play- so it will be difficult. continue to chase with seven Foolad’s return to the AFC since 2014. ers, although they need more “We are ready to compete, points to their name, level with going to get the three points. group. Al Ahli managed to re- Champions League began “Tomorrow’s match is very experience at this level. and from my point of view, Al Ahli Saudi FC. Matchday However, we made mistakes duce the deficit so we should against Al Sadd and the Irani- important, and it will be deci- “We are playing for our this will be like the final, be- Five sees Al Duhail facing Iraq’s and this happens in football.” see interesting matches in the ans were seconds away from a sive for both teams, and will be club and our fans, and all the cause if we have the three Al Shorta while Esteghlal clash “The players were tired last two rounds.” memorable win, only to con- like the final for us,” said Javi- fans in Iran, we will concen- points, we will be really close with Al Ahli on Tuesday. and we saw fatigue showing at Esteghlal FC assistant cede in the final minute for a er Noble. “The winners tomor- trate to play well and produce to qualifying. “Another match which I the end of the match,” added coach Farshad Majedi praised share of the points. That was row will get closer to qualify- our best, a draw may be good “We are excited and moti- call crazy,” said Lamouchi. the Frenchman. the performance of his play- followed by a 1-0 win against ing from the group for Al Sadd, but not for us.” vated to win against this team. “It might not have been like “Playing four matches in ers, who he said played against Al Wehdat and a 1-1 draw with “Al Sadd are a strong team, Al Sadd have done well Everything depends on us, it’s the previous one in terms of 10 days requires a lot of effort “the best team in the group.” Al Nassr. and they have many good in- to remain in contention after in our hands. We have to play chances and goals but it was a management under this physi- “Our players played with The rematch against Al ternational players with a lot a slow start which saw them with spirit, ambition and pas- big and exciting match. cal pressure. dedication,” said Majedi. “Due Nassr, however, didn’t go ac- of international experience in draw with Foolad and suffer sion, especially against Iranian “We controlled the match “We should be happy now to the short period between cording to plan as Foolad fell big competitions. They have a a humbling 3-1 defeat to Al teams. We need to keep focused very well and after we took the that there is big competition matches, quality drops and in- 2-0 and head coach Jesus very good coach, but we will Nassr. with a good mentality to get the lead, I thought that we were between three teams in the juries become more likely.” Javier Noble will urge his team not give up and will make The 15-time Qatar Stars three points tomorrow.” Sports Monday, April 26, 2021 13 QOC joins UNFCCC’s Sports for Climate Action initiative Tribune News Network Agenda 2020+5, the QOC will We are dedicated to ensuring In line with the five core Doha aim to inspire its athletes, We are proud to sign up to the UNFCCC’s that environmental sustain- principles enshrined in the fans and all stakeholders to Sports for Climate Action initiative and to ability is embedded within our Framework and the aims of The Qatar Olympic Com- address climate change and organisation and reflected in the Paris Agreement, the QOC mittee (QOC) on Sunday take meaningful action to- take another step forward in our everything that we do. But we will strive to: announced it has joined wards climate neutrality. commitment to minimising our know there is a lot more we 1) promote greater envi- the United Nations Frame- The QOC’s commitment overall climate impact. We can do and this framework will ronmental responsibility; work Convention on Climate to the Sports for Climate Ac- are dedicated to ensuring help establish a clear structure 2) reduce the overall cli- Change’s (UNFCCC’s) Sports tion Framework comes as that environmental against which we can measure mate impact from sports; for Climate Action initiative Qatar stands at the forefront our progress. 3) use our platform to ed- as it reinforces its commit- of change and is developing sustainability is embedded “In Qatar we are fortunate ucate for climate action; ment to reducing its environ- world-leading programmes within our organisation to have access to world-lead- 4) promote sustainable and mental impact. and research to support the FIFA World Cup™. and reflected in ing innovations and research responsible consumption; By becoming a signatory country’s transition from a QOC President HE Sheikh everything that we do. in this area. It is important and 5) advocate for cli- to the Sports for Climate Ac- carbon economy to a sustain- Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, that we leverage this at the mate action through our com- tion Framework, the QOC has able, climate-positive econo- said, “We are proud to sign up HE Sheikh Joaan bin QOC, but we must also use munications. promised to play an active my. The role of sport in stimu- to the UNFCCC’s Sports for Hamad Al Thani, our platform to advocate for As a Sports for Climate role in ensuring the sports lating innovation in this area Climate Action initiative and President, Qatar greater climate action and Action signatory, the QOC will sector is on the path to a low- has already been evidenced in to take another step forward in encourage others to promote also report on progress with carbon future. In line with the Qatar’s preparations to host our commitment to minimis- Olympic Committee greater environmental re- its commitments which will recommendations of Olympic the first-ever carbon-neutral ing our overall climate impact. sponsibility.” be supplied by the UNFCCC. Man City clinch League Cup as late Laporte goal denies Tottenham DPA London

Aymeric Laporte headed a late winner as Manchester City beat Tottenham 1-0 to claim Al Rayyan players during a training session in Goa on Saturday. the League Cup for the fourth successive year. The Frenchman, who Al Rayyan, Goa in Spurs felt could have been sent off earlier in the game, nodded in from a corner 10 minutes chase of maiden from time as City claimed a victory their superiority fully deserved. AFC Champions Spurs interim manager Ryan Mason had gambled on the fitness of Harry Kane but League win the England captain hardly threatened as City completely AFC young players to fill in the posi- dominated. Goa tions but I hope they will bring It was a record-equalling a huge morale boost to the eighth League Cup triumph for Al Rayyan of Qatar and India’s team as we must win. City and their sixth in the past FC Goa will look to register “If we had converted our eight seasons. their first win in the 2021 AFC chances (in previous matches) They will also hope it is the Champions League when they and had a little more experi- first of three trophies this sea- square off in Group E at the ence, we could have had at son alone. Manchester City players celebrate with the English League Cup trophy at the Wembley Stadium in London on Sunday. (AFP) Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Sta- least seven or eight points. It is Laporte committed two dium on Monday. important to finish the compe- cynical fouls of Lucas Moura in fans and the noise generated, risked Kane but City were also it was remarkable it took them So limited were Spurs’ It has been yet another dif- tition on positive note.” the latter stages of the first half even by such a small gathering, boosted by the return of Kevin so long to make the break- chances their fans celebrated ficult campaign for Al Rayyan, Following their opening but was only booked for the much a huge difference to the De Bruyne. through. winning a corner as if it was with the Qatar club failing to day draw against Al Rayyan, second one to the frustration atmosphere after a season of That was not the only good England forward Raheem a goal but they had a rare op- advance to the Round of 16 at FC Goa again settled for a share of Spurs in a one-sided contest. games behind closed doors. news for City as Manchester Sterling made some good early portunity when Alderweireld the 10th time of trying. Fc Goa, of the points against Al Wahda It was a joyous occasion The Spurs fans gave Mason United’s draw at Leeds earlier runs and teed up a good chance dragged a long-range shot meanwhile, have relished tak- before having to concede to the for City and also a significant plenty of support in what must in the day put them within two for Phil Foden, who shot wide. wide. ing on some of Asia’s biggest superiority of Persepolis FC, day for the wider game as both have been a daunting task in wins of regaining the Premier Sterling then put wide him- Spurs made a stronger start teams in their debut campaign losing 2-1 and 4-0. clubs had a limited number of only his second game in charge League crown. self from a Riyad Mahrez cross to the second period and finally despite it having been a steep The demands of the AFC fans present amid the corona- following the unexpected sack- Yet that was not the issue before having another good worked Zack Steffen in the City learning curve. Champions League have been virus pandemic. ing of Jose Mourinho. on manager Pep Guardiola’s chance brilliantly blocked by goal as Giovani Lo Celso curled The two began their 2021 tough on the Indian Super Following on from 2,000 They also made their mind and, judging by his deci- Eric Dier. in a low shot, but the American AFC Champions League cam- League side and coach Juan local residents being permitted thoughts on the club board sion not to wrap De Bruyne in Foden thought he had tipped it round a post. paign with a goalless draw on Ferrando was forced to make at an FA Cup semi-final last clear as they, along with City, cotton wool, nor was Wednes- scored after De Bruyne City kept coming and fi- Matchday One with Al Rayyan five changes to the starting week, 8,000 spectators were continue to deal with the fall- day’s Champions League semi- whipped in a cross and a nally got the goal their supe- then going on to surrender a lineup in the reverse fixture this time allowed inside Wem- out from this week’s shambolic final against Paris Saint-Ger- chance fell to him at close riority deserved as Laporte 1-0 lead against Islamic Re- against Persepolis. bley. European Super League epi- main. range but his effort deflected came forward and powered public of Iran’s Persepolis in a Ferrando, however, has Each side had 2,000 of sode. Guardiola’s side went off Toby Alderweireld and hit home a header from a De 3-1 loss. The Qatari side then said the experience has done their own socially distanced Not surprisingly Mason straight onto the front foot and a post. Bruyne corner. lost back-to-back to UAE’s his side wonders and with cap- Al Wahda (3-2, 1-0) to suffer tain Edu Bedia, who scored early elimination. their historic AFC Champions ’s side sit bot- League goal against Persepolis, tom of the standings but the available after suspension, FC Frenchman is adamant that Goa will aim for their first win. Leeds claim another point against their position doesn’t do justice “Over 20 days, we have in- to their quality and with the juries and there is fatigue but ‘big six’ with Man United draw likes of , Yohan it’s very important to have a Boli and in plan and do our best in the next DPA his squad, he will expect three two games,” said Ferrando. London points against FC Goa. “Starting with (goalkeeper) “Yes it’s true we are out of Naveen Kumar against Perse- Leeds claimed another de- the competition but we’re still polis was purely tactical. We served point against one of the not finished here,” said Blanc. have our own plans and if it’s Premier League’s ‘big six’ as “We will be motivated to per- not working, we will make the they drew 0-0 with Manches- form our best against FC Goa changes. It is important to re- ter United at . tomorrow, not only for this view the previous match in ef- Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s club but also for Qatar.” forts to improve ourselves. It is second-placed side extended “We need to win and al- not like we are stuck at a level their unbeaten away league though we have not performed and feel we can’t perform. On Barcelona’s French midfielder Antoine Griezmann (L) celebrates with run to 24 matches, while to expectations, we will strive the contrary, we are making Lionel Messi and Pedri after scoring a second goal during the Spanish Leeds have gone six undefeat- to get the result. It will be a dif- changes to tactics to improve. League match against Villarreal at La Ceramica stadium in Vila-real ed in the Premier League for ficult game againstF C Goa be- “Al Rayyan know this is on Suday. (AFP) the first time since 2002. cause they are very organised. an important match for both Leeds recently beat Man- We have two suspensions and teams. They will have some chester City with 10 men at some injuries and I believe Goa new players on the field but for Barcelona scrape past the Etihad Stadium and fol- Leeds United’s English striker Patrick Bamford (C) vies with Manchester have the same problem in terms sure it will be a different match. lowed that up at Elland Road United’s English defender Harry Maguire (2nd L) during the English Pre- of injuries. We will work hard to get a posi- Villarreal to stay in title fight on Monday night with a point mier League match at Elland Road in Leeds, England, on Sunday. (AFP) “We need new players, tive result.” against Liverpool. DPA Villarreal were greatly im- A first win against their huge chasm that had opened bus entered Elland Road with Barcelona proved in the second half but arch rivals since a stunning up between the two clubs dur- minimum fuss, in contrast had Manu Trigueros sent off FA Cup upset in 2010 was be- ing their 16-year top-flight ex- to Monday night when angry Quick read Antoine Griezmann’s brace for a wild tackle on Barcelona yond them, but their remark- ile in a thumping 6-2 defeat to Leeds fans, who had gathered AFC condoles Pranab Ganguly’s demise earned Barcelona a nervy 2-1 captain Lionel Messi. able season shows no signs of Solskjaer’s side in December. in protest against the ill-fated win at Villarreal on Sunday in The Catalans hung on petering out as they matched Whites fans have waited Super League, hurled abuse at Kuala Lumpur: Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh , helping the Catalans against the 10-man hosts to their visitors in a high-octane nearly 20 years for a league Liverpool’s squad. Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has sent his condolences to the All India pull level with second-placed move onto 71 points from 32 clash of few chances. win against Manchester Unit- On the field, the first 45 Football Federation (AIFF) and to the family of former India and Mohun Real Madrid in the title race. games, level with Real Ma- “That’s what we’re about, ed – ’s second- minutes was high intensity, Bagan winger Pranab Ganguly who passed away at the age of 75 on Fri- The French striker finished drid who have played an extra Leeds, as a club,” Kalvin Phil- half header clinched it 1-0 in but low on chances. day. The AFC President in a statement said: “On behalf of the AFC and sublimely less than 90 seconds match, and two behind leaders lips told Sky Sports. 2002 when Solskjaer was a Harry Maguire deflected the Asian football family, please accept my deepest condolences and after Samu Chukwueze sent Atletico Madrid who later face “As a team, we love to dig United player – but this en- a cross over the bar with his sympathies on the demise of Pranab Ganguly. It was through the con- Villarreal ahead. Athletic Bilbao. in and just make it hard for counter was been overshad- knee and VAR deemed Luke tributions of Ganguly and many others like him, that the foundations of Griezmann struck again in Elsewhere Getafe beat teams when they come here, owed by the fall-out from the Shaw had not handled in the Indian football were built. Asian football has lost a true icon and a loyal the 35th minute after a glar- Huesca 2-0. Sevilla, fourth, especially teams like Man- European Super League’s at- penalty area when the ball stalwart whose service to the game will forever be cherished.” (ANI) ing Juan Foyth error to put to also host Granada and Celta chester United.” tempted coup. struck his arm in the 20th complete the turnaround. Vigo welcome Osasuna. Leeds were reminded of the Manchester United’s team minute. 14 Monday, April 26, 2021 Sports Nadal saves match Cherif and Tijan storm into semi-finals point to clinch Barcelona title DPA London

Rafael Nadal saved match point in a pulsating final against Stefanos Tsitsipas to win his 12th Barcelona Open title on Sunday. Nadal had only lost one set in 11 previous finals in Catalonia and had never lost a clay-court final having held a match point. He had two in the second set but a combination of some uncharacteristic misses from the Spaniard and brilliant play from his opponent helped Tsit- sipas turn the match around. The Greek had his own Qatar’s ace beach volleyball duo of Cherif Younousse and Tijan Ahmed moved into the semi-finals of FIVB World Tour 4- Cancun Second Hub chance to clinch back-to-back Tournament in Cancun, Mexico, on Sunday. Younousse and Ahmed defeated the Italian pair of Paolo Nicolai and Daniele Lupo 21-17, 21-16. titles having won his maiden The losing Italians, who have already qualified for their third Olympics, had skipped the last event of the Cancun Hub. Masters crown in Monte-Carlo last week when he held match point at 5-4 in the decider. But Nadal dug deep, broke the Tsitsipas serve in the next game and battled his way to a Inter edge closer to title 6-4, 6-7, (6-8), 7-5 victory in three hours and 38 minutes. Tsitsipas, who recovered Spain’s Rafael Nadal jumps in a pool after winning the ATP Barcelona after Darmian downs from two sets down to beat Open at the Real Club de Tenis in Barcelona on Sunday. (AFP) the Spaniard at the Australian DPA Bessa’s initial effort before Open, made a brilliant start to Berlin dragged his the match, striking winners follow-up strike narrowly wide apparently at will, breaking Inter took another significant with the goal at his mercy. Nadal’s serve and pushing for stride towards a first Serie A ti- The hosts rarely looked a second break. tle since 2009-10 after a hard- like scoring during a tepid But the Spaniard, as he has fought 1-0 win over Hellas Ve- opening 45 minutes and went done so many times before, rona at San Siro on Sunday. in at the break having had just weathered the storm, began The result means An- a solitary shot on target. sewing doubt into his oppo- tonio Conte’s side are 13 Lautaro Martinez was de- nent’s mind by relentlessly points clear at the league sum- nied by Silvestri shortly after targeting his backhand and mit, although that could be the hour as Inter continued to turned the match around. scaled back to 10 if AC Milan struggle following the restart. He won four games in a overcome Lazio on Monday. Hakimi went agonisingly row from 2-4 to take the open- Inter struggled for long close to breaking the deadlock ing set, and then again came periods against Verona, but after 69 minutes but his su- from a break down in the sec- sealed a 13th consecutive Serie perb 25-yard free-kick crashed ond set after Tsitsipas had re- A home win for just the second against Silvestri’s left-hand post. grouped well. Rafael Nadal poses with the trophy. (AFP) time in their history 14 min- Inter Milan’s Italian defender Matteo Darmian (R) celebrates with mid- With Martinez and Rome- That took him to the brink utes from full-time courtesy of fielder Nicolo Barella after scoring during the Serie A match vs Hellas lu Lukaku misfiring, it was left of victory on the court named winner on the second. The third was serve domi- substitute Matteo Darmian. Verona at the San Siro stadium in Milan on Sunday. (AFP) to Darmian to snatch three after him but Tsitsipas showed A topsy-turvy tie-break nated until 4-5, when Nadal The wing-back powered points, the former Manchester his own mettle to stay in the saw Nadal lead 4-2 then save wobbled on his own delivery, forward, collected Achraf ning ways after two draws in shortly after the midway point United man showing superb contest, recovering from 15- two set points from 4-6 only to but ultimately it was the Hakimi’s pass and slotted past the top-flight. of the first half. composure to slot home his 40 at 4-5 with two fine points, serve a double fault at 6-6 that Spaniard who proved just the Marco Silvestri from 10 yards Inter started sluggishly Samir Handanovic got third league goal of the season including a lovely touch volley helped Tsitsipas clinch it. tougher. to help his side return to win- and could have fallen behind down well to keep out Daniel in the 76th minute. Barty battles back again Ajax on brink of 35th Dutch championship DPA Alkmaar. Amsterdam No championship winner to lift Stuttgart crown was named in the Netherlands Ajax are on the verge of a 35th for 2019-20 as a result of the Dutch championship after a 2-0 coronavirus pandemic. DPA quarter and semi-finals re- A bagel felt inevitable from win over AZ Alkmaar on Sun- Ajax can confirm the title Berlin spectively. that point and, after a 20-min- day took the Amsterdam side with a point next week against Sabalenka was ready to ute second set, Sabalenka was 12 points clear of second-placed Emmen as PSV’s 1-0 win over Ash Barty came from a set seize upon another sluggish sinking without a trace when PSV Eindhoven with four games Groningen kept their theoreti- down for the third time this Barty start and forced three she slipped 3-0 behind in the remaining in the season. cal chance alive. week as the world number one break points at 3-2 in the decider. Erik Ten Haag’s Ajax also continued a superb 2021 with opener. The fifth seed broke back boast a goal difference ad- Ajax’ Dutch midfielder Davy Klaas- victory at the Stuttgart Open. The Australian was able before being undermined by vantage of 32 over PSV af- sen (R) celebrates after scoring Barty overcame Aryna Sa- to hang on that time, but Sa- an untimely double fault at ter former Werder Bremen the 1-0 goal during the Dutch balenka 3-6, 6-0, 6-3 to lift an balenka fashioned two more 3-2 - one of 39 unforced er- and Everton midfielder Davy Eredivisie match against AZ Alk- 11th career title and her third and a botched Barty drop shot rors - and Barty faced down Klaassen’s double delivered maar at the Johan Cruijff Arena in of the season after successes at meant it was fifth time lucky. three break points in the fol- the win against third-placed Amsterdam on Sunday. (AFP) the Miami Open and the Yarra The rapid progress of set lowing game. Valley Classic in Melbourne. two suggested Barty had mere- A superb display, featur- It proved to be another ly been warming up, snaffling ing 26 winners and five break comeback triumph against a her third break point at 1-0 points converted from 12 op- top-10 opponent for Barty, and dispatching a magnificent portunities, concluded when Leipzig beat Stuttgart, Wood fires first-half hat-trick who saw off Karolina Plisko- forehand cross-court winner Barty wrapped things up on va and Elina Svitolina in the to surge 4-0 ahead. her second match point. keep Bundesliga title as Burnley thrash Wolves race alive DPA DPA London Leipzig (Germany) Chris Wood scored his first Pre- RB Leipzig defeated 10-man VfB Stuttgart mier League hat-trick as Burnley blew 2-0 on Sunday to maintain a largely theoreti- Wolves away with a dominant first-half cal chance of denying record champions Bay- performance at Molineux to take a giant ern Munich a ninth successive Bundesliga title. step towards Premier League survival. Amadou Haidara headed the opener sec- All of Wood’s goals in a 4-0 win onds after the restart and Emil Forsberg’s 67th came before half-time during an open- minute penalty moved Leipzig seven points ing 45 minutes where it was abun- behind Bayern with three games to play. dantly clear one team was driven by the Bayern could have sealed matters on Sat- hunger and desire of something to play urday but lost 2-1 at Mainz and will have their for, and the other was not. next chance at home to Borussia Moencheng- Wolves, who have known for much ladbach on May 8. of the season that their fate would Stuttgart started well but Naouirou Aham- probably be mid-table obscurity, im- ada’s red card after video review for a foul on proved marginally in the second half Haidara in 14 minutes effectively ended their in the sense that they only conceded chances. one more goal when Ashley Westwood Burnley’s New Zealand striker Chris Wood Promoted Stuttgart are safely 10th despite struck five minutes from time. celebrates scoring his team’s third goal losing four consecutive games. Sean Dyche’s team headed to the against Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Leipzig next travel to Werder Bremen on West Midlands in no immediate threat Molineux stadium on Sunday. (AFP) Friday for their German Cup semi-final as Ju- of relegation, despite three successive lian Nagelsmann’s side continue the chase for defeats, mostly due to Fulham’s inabil- ion between themselves and the bot- a maiden major trophy. ity to put any pressure on the teams tom three and it should be enough Australian Ashleigh Barty poses with her trophy and her prize, a Porsche Taycan Turbo S Cross Turismo car, dur- Borussia Moenchengladbach host Armin- above them. to ensure another season of Premier ing the presentation ceremony of the Grand Prix WTA 500 tournament in Stuttgart, Germany, on Sunday. (AFP) ia Bielefeld in the weekend’s final match. They left with a nine-point cush- League football. Sports Monday, April 26, 2021 15 Ali bin Hamad Al Attiya’s Light Stars wins listed Prix Caravelle at Toulouse Tribune News Network up the rear on the rails. She Prix Rose de Mai (L). Aspir- Doha remained in that position, and ante (Myboycharlie) was an- was even a little detached from other case in point, as she ran Light Stars (Sea The Stars) the rest of the pack down the on well to claim third place - a delivered a stellar perfor- backstretch. length and three quarters fur- mance in the Prix Caravelle In the straight, Light ther behind. She was coming - Haras des Granges (L), af- Stars got the ‘split’ between off a disappointing effort in ter coming from last to first Jalwa Shalaa) and Dream In the Prix Maurice Caillault (L). and firmly putting the oppo- My Head (Golden Horn) and Winning trainer Jean- sition in its place. Co- owned thrust herself in the thick of Claude Rouget told Equidia: by Claude Marzooco and Ali the action. By now in full cry, “We wanted to ride her for a bin Hamad Al Attiya, the Light Stars showed sharp place because we were disap- fillymade a winning debut at powers of acceleration which pointed by her performance at Cagnes-sur-Mer on January enabled her to cut through the Saint-Cloud. last time out. By 28th , before proving slightly field in a few strides and win allowing her the time to find disappointing in the Prix Dur- without forcing her talent. her feet, Light Stars was in a ban (Class 1) at Saint-Cloud. She prevailed by two and position to deliver a wicked However, at Toulouse on Sun- a half lengths from Lingering finishing kick. day, she won in the style of a Dream (Oasis Dream). The “She won in the style of group class filly. latter, similarly, showed im- good filly. We will give her the The mount of Christophe proved form after finishing necessary time to recover from Soumillon initially brought fifth and last but one in the her efforts.” Light Stars delivered a stellar performance in the Prix Caravelle at Toulouse on Sunday. (Pic: Robert Polin) Jadeja equals Gayle’s record, whacks 37 runs in an over

horrific collapse. All-rounder’s star In the end, the Kohli-led Scores: CSK 191/4 (Faf side was only able to score 122 Al Shaqab Racing’s homebred Jalela made a winning return to Sheikh show takes CSK du Plessis 50, Ravindra runs, as CSK broke RCB’s un- Mansour Festival - Prix Nefta (Gr2 PA) at Toulouse in France on Jadeja 62*; Harshal beaten streak in the ongoing Sunday. (Pic: Robert Polin) to the top Patel 3-51); RCB 122/9 tournament. ( 34, Earlier, opting to bat first, ANI 22; Ravin- CSK got off to a good start with Al Shaqab Racing’s Jalela Mumbai dra Jadeja 3-13). openers Ruturaj Gaikwad and Faf du Plessis scripting anoth- whacked er fifty-plus partnership in the dazzles again, wins 37 runs in the final over of powerplay. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) re- Gr2 PA Prix Nefta innings before the all-round- moved Gaikwad in the tenth er came back to pick three over but Suresh Raina and du Tribune News Network Star) was three quarters of a as MS Dhoni-led side Plessis continued ticking the Doha length behind to collect third thrashed Royal Challengers scoreboard. for trainer O. Trigodet and Bangalore (RCB) by 69 runs The duo took CSK over Al Shaqab Racing’s homebred jockey Antoine Werle. in the the 100-run mark in the 13th Jalela (FR) (Mister Ginoux x Jalela had finished second (IPL) here at the Wankhede over. But RCB bounced back in Nefertarie) made a victorious in the Qatar Arabian Trophy Stadium on Sunday evening. the game as Harshal Patel dis- comeback in the Sheikh Man- des Pouliches (Gr1 PA) before A business end master- missed both Raina and du Ples- sour Festival - Prix Nefta (Gr2 opening her account in the class from Jadeja had pow- sis in consecutive balls to reduce PA) at Toulouse on Sunday. Prix Nevada II (Gr3 PA). ered CSK to 191/4 in their 20 CSK to 113/3 in the 14th over. Jalela, with Jerome Ca- Her trainer, Thomas Four- overs. In response, RCB could and Jadeja bre in the saddle, did not cy, said, “She was certainly only manage 122/9, thanks then carried CSK innings as take much as she immedi- fitter thanher rivals. She’s a to Jadeja and Imran Tahir’s Ravindra Jadeja hoicks one during his 37-run onslaught in one over of Harshal Patel (which included five they both added 31 runs in 22 ately took the lead and no one good filly and was fully enti- impeccable bowling perfor- sixes, one four, a double, and a no-ball) during the IPL match against Royal Challengers Bangalore at the balls. But Harshal picked up could really get near her in tled to win such a race. She mances. A three-for, a - Wankhede Stadium on Sunday. (BCCI/IPL). his third wicket of the match the straight line. could tackle older mares later maiden, and a direct hit with when he dismissed Rayudu in In a race devoid of pace, on in the season.” the ball aided by Tahir’s tight Sam Curran dismissed skipper fifth over to reduce RCB to Christian went without scor- the 18th over she mastered Yas Horse Rac- Bred by Al Shaqab, Jalela bowling helped CSK move to on the first ball of 54/2. ing in the double-digit. In the final overs, CSK ing Management’s Elaf (Rab- is part of the first crop of the the top of the points table as the fourth over. RCB kept losing wickets at Jadeja dismissed Sundar, scored at a sluggish rate cour- bah de Carrère x Mowafaka) stallion Mister Ginoux. The they toppled RCB on Sunday. Devdutt Padikkal showed regular intervals and was soon Maxwell, de Villiers and ran tesy of some fine bowling by by two and a half lengths. The dam, Nefertarie (Mahabb), Chasing 192 runs, RCB a glimmer of hope with his found reeling at 89/7 in the Christian out as RCB was left RCB before Jadeja bludg- runner-up is trained by X. has already produced Al got off to a flying start with firing knock of 34 runs off 15 12th over. While Glenn Max- gasping for breath. Imran Ta- eoned the bowling attack as he Thomas-Demeaulte and was Ghashamiya (General), and the side scoring 44 runs in balls but was not able to con- well tried to smack bounda- hir too joined the party pick- smacked five sixes in the last ridden by Ioritz Mendizabal. the latter, too, finished second the first three overs. However, vert it into a big score. Shardul ries, AB de Villiers, Wash- ing two wickets and resulting six legal deliveries to take his Mehdi Benmessaoud’s in the Qatar Arabian Trophy things soon went downhill as Thakur removed him in the ington Sundar, and Daniel in a run out as RCB suffered a side close to 200. Zarra Star (Azadi X Larissa for fillies (Gr1 AP ). Lanka-B’desh hold nerve to beat SRH in Super Over thriller Test ends in ANI and Shikhar Dhawan chased Warner got run out in the Mishra clinched Jadhav in the from 18 balls. Shankar (8) the first over. The duo shared Chennai the target on the last ball. Ear- fourth over after scoring just 15th over. failed to support Williamson an 81-run partnership. Mean- a draw lier, a half-century from Prith- six runs. Kane Williamson and Abhishek Sharma joined as he was picked by Avesh in while, Shaw completed his ANI Delhi Capitals registered a vi Shaw and skipper Rishabh Bairstow guided the side to the Williamson in the middle af- the 19th over. Suchith’s 14-run second half-century of the sea- Pallekele (Sri Lanka) thrilling win in the Super Over Pant’s 37-run knock guided 50-run mark. The duo added a ter Jadhav’s departure. Mean- cameo off six balls helped the son off 35 balls. against SunRisers Hyderabad Delhi Capitals to 159/4 in their 28-run stand for the second while, Kiwi completed his side to level score on the last Scores: Delhi Capitals 159/4 The first Test between Sri in the Indian Premier League allotted 20 overs. In response, wicket. Aven Khan dismissed half-century off 42 balls in the balls of the 20th over. in 20 overs (Prithvi Shaw 53, Lanka and Bangladesh ended match here at the MA Chid- Williamson’s unbeaten 66-run English batsman in the sixth 16th over. For Delhi, Avesh clinched Rishabh Pant 37; Siddarth in a draw after the last session ambaram Stadium on Sunday. knock and J Suchith’s not-out over. Bairstow played a knock In the 17th over, Axar Patel three wickets while Axar Kaul 2-31, Rashid Khan 1-31); of the game was washed out Both the teams scored 159 14-run cameo helped the side of 38 runs off 18 balls includ- scalped two wickets as he sent bagged two scalps. SRH 159/7 in 20 overs (Kane due to rain on Sunday. runs in the allotted 20 overs as to equal the score in 20 overs. ing four sixes and three fours. Abishek (5) and Rashid Khan Shaw and Shikhar Dha- Williamson 66*, Jonny Bairstow Bangladesh picked up five a result the match went into Chasing 160, Jonny Williamson held one end (0) on successive balls. Vijay wan provided a flying start 38; Axar Patel 2-26, Avesh Khan wickets in the morning session the Super Over. Axar Patel re- Bairstow and skipper David strong but the side lost Virat Shankar joined Williamson in to the side. Shaw showed his 3-34). of Day Five as Sri Lanka de- stricted Kane Williamson and Warner provided a steady Singh (4) and Kedar Jadhav the middle. SRH were at 121/4 intent from the word go as he Super Over: SRH 7/0 (William- clared their innings at 648/8, David Warner to just seven start as they build a 28-run (9) cheaply. Avesh bagged Vi- after 17 overs. smashed three back-to-back son 4, Warner 2, 1lb); DC 8/0 leading by 107. runs. In reply, Rishabh Pant stand for the opening wicket. rat in the 12th over while Amit SRH required 39 balls fours off Khaleel Ahmed in (Rishabh Pant 5, 3lb). In reply, Bangladesh scored 100/2 in the second essay be- fore persistent rain forced the umpires to call off the game. Sri Lanka skipper Dimuth Karunaratne hit a double ton Babar, Hasan and Rizwan lead visitors to 2-1 series win while Dhananjaya de Silva scored a classy hundred as the ANI Chakabva (0) and Sean Wil- taken 56 innings to reach the hosts didn’t lose a single wicket liams (9). landmark. on Saturday. Sri Lanka had The right-arm fast bowler For Zimbabwe, Luke Jong- ended Day Four at 512/3. Half-centuries from ended up with match figures we picked three wickets for 37. On Day Five, Bangla- Mohammad Rizwan and Ba- of 4-18 in four overs, which is Hasan was named Play- desh got the breakthrough as bar Azam and career-best his best in T20I career. Haris er of the Match, while Ri- Taskin Ahmed cleaned up de four-fer from Hasan Ali led Rauf took two for 34. zwan was awarded Player of Silva (166), breaking the solid Pakistan to a 24-run win over Earlier, after opting to bat the Series award for scoring 345-run partnership between Zimbabwe in the third and fi- first, Pakistan scored 165/3. 186 runs. him and Karunaratne. nal T20I at the Harare Sports Rizwan top-scored with an Pakistan team had won Minutes later, Taskin took Club on Sunday. unbeaten 91 off 60 balls. His the first T20I by 11 runs while another wicket as Karunaratne The win also secured the innings included five fours Zimbabwe won the second by (244) departed after hitting three-match series for the and three sixes. He knitted a 19 runs. Both teams will now the tenth highest score by a Sri tourists with the 2-1 scoreline. match-winning 126 runs for feature in a two-Test match Lanka batsman in Test . Chasing 166 to win, Zimbabwe the second-wicket with Babar. series with the first Test match Sri Lanka declared at were restricted to 141 for sev- Babar scored 52 from starting at the same venue 648/8 after going into the en. Hasan, who was featuring 46 balls which included five from April 29. lunch with a lead of 107 runs. for the first time in the series, fours. During the course of his Scores: Pakistan 165-3 in 20 led the fightback forthe visi- innings he became the fastest overs (Mohammad Rizwan 91*, Scores: Bangladesh 541/7d tors when he took two wickets batsman to reach 2,000 runs Babar Azam 52; Luke Jongwe and 100/2 (Tamim Iqbal 74*; in the 16th over to put breaks in this format. 3-37); Zimbabwe 141-7 in 20 Suranga Lakmal 2-21); Sri Lanka on hosts run-chase. He ac- It took 52 innings for the overs (Wesley Madhevere 59, 648/8 d (Dimuth Karunaratne counted for Tarisai Musakan- Pakistan captain to achieve Tadiwanashe Marumani 35; 244, Dhananjaya de Silva 166; da (10), Wesley Madhevere this feat breaking India’s Pakistan players celebrate with the series trophy afer victory in the third Twenty20I against Zimbabwe at Hasan Ali 4-18, Haris Rauf Taskin Ahmed 3/112). (59 off 47, seven fours), Regis captain Virat Kohli, who had the Harare Sports Club in Harare on Sunday. (AFP) 2-34).

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