Kohli slams ton, India near victory in D/N Test at page 14 SUNday, NOVEMBER 24, 2019 : QFA launches support initiative for Al Annabi arrive Local Organising Committee briefs Qatar squad on tournament laws

QNA/TNN

The Qatar Football Associa- tion (QFA) has launched an initiative to support Al An- nabi in the 24th edition of the Arabian Gulf Cup to be held in Doha from November 26 to December 8. Eight teams including Qa- tar, UAE, Yemen, Iraq, Bah- rain, Oman, and Saudi Arabia are participating in the tournament. Qatar’s first national team (the Maroons) will begin their campaign with the tourna- ment opening match against Iraq on Tuesday at the Khalifa International Stadium.

The initiative brings to- gether many artists and Qatari football veterans as well as social media celebrities who were keen on inviting support- ers and fans of the Qatari team Four Qatari to encourage and support the referees to team to go on to title and lift the championship cup for the officiate fourth time in Qatar’s football- Doha: The Referees’ commit- ing history. tee of the Arab Gulf Cup Fed- Qatar are playing hosts eration (AGCF) has selected to the prestigious the tourna- four international referees to ment for the fourth time, hav- Qatar players during a training session at Aspire Academy on Saturday. join the list of referees who ing hosted the same in 1992, will be officiating during the 2004 and 2014. 24th Arabian Gulf Cup. Those The QFA initiative, which selected are Khamis Moham- was launched immediately med al Marri and Mohammed after the end of the match be- Ahmed al Shammari, and tween Qatar and Afghanistan in the international assistant the joint qualifiers for the 2022 referees Mohammed Jaber Players and officials of the Oman football team for the 24th Arabian Cup soon after their arrival at the World Cup and the 2023 Asian Zerman and Ramzan Saeed Hamad International Airport on Saturday. Cup, the Qatari support cam- al Nuaimi. The referees’ list paign by QFA and its Marketing comprises 32 referees and Committee was held through assistant referees from nine events on streets and in shop- countries, namely: Kuwait; ping malls across Doha as Oman; Iraq; Qatar; Yemen; well as on roads leading to the UAE; Bahrain; Belgium and Khalifa International Stadium, Switzerland. Meanwhile, a which will host Qatar’s matches delegation of Qatari football during the tournament. officials team arrived in Kinok On Saturday, the Qatar to participate in the referees national team players were exchange programme with the hosted by the Local Organis- Belgian Football Association ing Committee (LOC) ahead of (BFA). The delegation includes the 24 Arabian Gulf Cup. The Meshary Ali al Shammari; meeting was organised by the Majid Hudaires al Shammari; LOC to update the team on the Mohammed Abdullah al Oun; tournament laws. Qatar captain Hassan al Haydos being honoured by the LOC. Fahd Mohammed al Jassim; Meanwhile, the Oman Abdul Rahman Mohammed al team delegation arrived at the 24th Arabian Gulf Cup. ment will kick-off on Tuesday Saud and Yousef Abdul Aziz Hamad International Airport with Qatar taking on Iraq at the al Marzouqi. Qatari referees in Doha on Saturday and ac- Teams prepare Khalifa International Stadium, will officiate in a number of corded a warm welcome. Hosts and Asian Cup 2019 while Yemen meet UAE at the matches, besides participat- Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and champions Qatar continued Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium. ing in fitness training and the United Arab Emirates will their preparations training un- Qatar are in Group A with analytical meetings of the be arriving on Sunday. der the watchful eyes of their UAE, Yemen and Iraq while Referees’ Committee of the The Qatar national team players being briefed about the tournament’s laws by the Local Organising Yemen and Iraq were the coach Felix Sanchez at the Group B consists Oman, Saudi Belgian FA. (QNA) Committee on Saturday ahead of the 24th Arabian Gulf Cup which begins on Tuesday (November 26). first teams to arrive for the Aspire Academy. The tourna- Arabia, Kuwait and Bahrain. Vodafone Qatar confirmed as official Gulf Cup telecommunications sponsor Tribune News Network Gulf Cup Football Federation so will fans’ expectation for Our mission is to make it easy event that is close to the heart Doha (AGCFF) and the Qatar Foot- super-fast connectivity. The for people to communicate, of the region’s many football ball Association (QFA), the ability to share videos, pic- and sport is an ideal way for fans. We are confident that A world-class connectivity ex- tournament will be held from tures and messages with peo- us to showcase our expertise. Vodafone’s network and infra- perience awaits football enthu- November 26 to December ple online will be an important The transformative potential structure will greatly enhance siasts in Doha, with Vodafone 8, 2019, with eight nations aspect of the fan experience of Vodafone’s communica- communications around the Qatar confirmed as the Official participating – Iraq, Kuwait, and with thousands of people tions technology is becoming Gulf Cup tournament and Telecommunications Sponsor Oman, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, expected to attend the tourna- increasingly visible in sporting contribute to delivering a fab- of the 24th Arabian Gulf Cup. the United Arab Emirates, ment, the level of connectivity events hosted by Qatar in the ulous spectacle.” As part of the sponsorship, the Bahrain and the host country and sharing will be exception- lead up to the world’s biggest Since becoming a 100% company will provide state-of- Qatar. Thousands of football al. Innovative technologies en- sporting event in 2022.” Qatari company, Vodafone Qa- the-art telecommunications fans from Qatar, the region abling fans to stay connected Commenting on the spon- tar has begun to implement a infrastructure including its Gi- and the world are expected to during the tournament will ecutive Officer, Sheikh Hamad We look forward to deliver- sorship Nasser al Khater, full strategy to pioneer the tel- gaNet network at the tourna- attend the hotly anticipated form a large part of delivering Abdulla al Thani, said: “We are ing world-class connectiv- CEO of the Local Organising ecommunications technology ment stadiums – Khalifa Inter- event and show their support an unforgettable experience truly proud to be the nation’s ity and giving football fans an Committee, said: “We are de- that will accelerate digital era national Stadium and Abdulla for their national teams. for those inside the tourna- trusted telecommunications unforgettable experience that lighted to welcome Vodafone connectivity for Qatar and the Bin Khalifa Stadium. As the 24th Arabian Gulf ment venues partner for this year’s highly helps bring teams and sup- Qatar as our official Telecom- region, including leading the Organised by the Arab Cup preparations accelerate, Vodafone Qatar Chief Ex- anticipated Arabian Gulf Cup. porters even closer together. munications Sponsor for an rapid roll out of 5G technology. 14 Sunday, November 24, 2019 Sports Day/Night Test at Eden Gardens Pak slide to 64-3 after massive Labuschagne, India on brink of Warner tons at Gabba AFP big win vs Bangla Brisbane (Australia) Australia look certain to take a 1-0 lead in their series Kohli slams 27th century; Ishant Sharma grabs four wickets in 2nd essay against Pakistan after domi- nating with both bat and ball AFP on day three of the firstT est in Kolkata Brisbane on Saturday. Big centuries to Marnus A sparkling century by Virat Labuschagne (185) and David Kohli and Ishant Sharma’s Warner (154) helped Australia four wickets put India on the to a first innings total of 580 in cusp of a big win over Bang- reply to Pakistan’s 240. ladesh on just the second day At stumps Pakistan were in of their maiden day-night Test big trouble on 64 for three, still on Saturday. needing 276 runs to make Aus- Tourists Bangladesh were tralia bat again. 152 for six at stumps in their Shan Masood was not out second innings, still needing 89 27 and Babar Azam was 20 at runs to avoid an innings defeat the close. in the Kolkata pink ball Test. Mitchell Starc did the early Kohli made 136 as India, damage for the Australians in who lead the two-match series the final hour of the day’s play, 1-0, declared their innings on trapping captain Azhar Ali leg Australia’s batsman Marnus Labuschagne (left) greets David Warner 347 for nine and then Ishant before for five. for his 150 runs on day two of the first Test match against rattled the Bangladesh batting. He then enticed Haris So- Pakistan at the Gabba in Brisbane on Saturday. (AFP) “Batting under lights was hail to waft at a ball well out- difficult. When I batted yes- side off stump, only to get a terday, even when I saw on TV thick edge to Australian wick- Scoreboard what was happening I think etkeeper Tim Paine. Pakistan (1st innings): 240 7-546 (Labuschagne), 8-559 (Starc), 9-567 first session is slightly easier Asad Shafiq was next to fall, Australia (1st innings, overnight 312-1) (Cummins), 10-580 (Hazlewood). D. Warner c Rizwan b Shah ...... 154 Bowling: Afridi 34-7-96-2 (2nb), Imran 24-3-73-1, to bat,” said Indian batsman edging Pat Cummins to second J. Burns b Yasir ...... 97 Naseem 20-1-68-1 (1w), Iftikhar 12-0-53-0, Yasir Cheteshwar Pujara, who made India captain Virat Kohli (2nd left) with Mohammed Shami (left), Ishant Sharma (second right) and Umesh Yadav slip where Steve Smith took a M. Labuschagne c Azam b Afridi ...... 185 48-4-1-205-4, Sohail 19-1-75-2 55 on day one. on the second day of the second Test against Bangladesh at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Saturday. (AFP) comfortable catch. S. Smith b Yasir ...... 4 Pakistan (2nd innings): “When there are lights the Labuschagne had earlier M. Wade c Rizwan b Sohail ...... 60 Shan Masood not out ...... 27 ball start swinging more and helmet but the batsman went scored a magnificent maiden T. Head c Rizwan b Sohail ...... 24 Azhar Ali lbw Starc ...... 5 Scoreboard T. Paine c Shafiq b Afridi ...... 13 Haris Sohail c Paine b Starc ...... 8 it is a bit challenging. During on to complete his innings. Test century in front of his P. Cummins c Rizwan b Imran ...... 7 Asad Shafiq c Smith b Cummins ...... 0 sunlight it is easier to see the Bangladesh (1st innings): 106 Bangladesh were forced to home crowd at the Gabba. M. Starc lbw Yasir ...... 5 Babar Azam not out ...... 20 ball red or pink.” India (1st innings (overnight 174-3) Bangladesh (2nd innings): take two concussion substi- The 25-year-old made his- N. Lyon not out ...... 13 Extras (lb3, nb1) ...... 4 M. Agarwal c Mehidy b Al-Amin 14 Shadman Islam lbw b Ishant 0 J. Hazlewood lbw Yasir ...... 5 Total (for 3 wickets; 17 overs) ...... 64 Ishant struck early to leave R. Sharma lbw b Ebadat 21 Imrul Kayes c Kohli b Ishant 5 tutes in Mehidy Hasan and Ta- tory during the Ashes series Extras (b6, lb4, nb3) ...... 13 Fall of wkts: 1-13 (Azhar), 2-25 (Sohail), 3-25 (Shafiq) Bangladesh tottering at 13 for C. Pujara b Ebadat 55 Mominul Haque c Saha b Ishant 0 ijul for Liton Das and Nayeem earlier this year when he was Total (157.4 overs) 580 Bowling: Starc 4-0-25-2 (1nb), Cummins 5-1-16-1, four before V. Kohli c Taijul b Ebadat 136 Mohammad Mithun c Shami b Yadav 6 Hasan who were hit on the hel- brought into the second Test as Fall of wickets: 1-222 (Burns), 2-351 (Warner), 3-358 Hazlewood 6-1-16-1, Lyon 2-1-4-0. made an unbeaten 59 to take A. Rahane c Ebadat b Taijul 51 Mushfiqur Rahim not out 59 met by Shami on day one. a concussion replacement for (Smith), 4-468 (Wade), 5-506 (Head), 6-545 (Paine), Toss: Pakistan. R. Jadeja b Abu 12 Mahmudullah retired hurt 39 the five-day match to day three. W. Saha not out 17 Mehidy Hasan c Kohli b Ishant 15 Earlier Kohli aced the pink Steve Smith, who had been hit Mushfiqur and Mah- R. Ashwin lbw b Al-Amin 9 Taijul Islam c Rahane b Yadav 11 ball Test as he completed his in the head by a Jofra Archer runs to his overnight score of replace Warner. mudullah, who retired hurt U. Yadav c Shadman b Abu 0 Extras (b8, lb4, w5) 17 27th century before falling to a bouncer. 151 when he became 16-year- But after hitting a boundary on 39 with a hamstring strain, I. Sharma lbw b Al-Amin 0 Total (6 wickets, 32.3 overs) 152 stunning catch by Taijul. It was the first time a con- old Naseem’s first scalp. off Yasir Shah, the leg-spinner M. Shami not out 10 To bat: , Al-Amin Hossain, Ebadat Hossain put on 69 runs for the fifth Extras (b12, lb2, w8) 22 Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Shadman), 2-2 (Mominul), 3-9 Left-arm spinner Taijul cussion replacement had been Naseem, whose pace has then clean bowled Smith, the wicket to offer some resistence Total (9 wickets decl, 89.4 overs) 347 (Mithun), 4-13 (Imrul), 5-133 (Mehidy) made it count with a wicket used in Test cricket since the been impressive during this seventh time in six Test match- against a persistent Indian Fall of wickets: 1-26 (Agarwal), 2-43 (Rohit), 3-137 Bowling: Ishant 9-1-39-4, Yadav 10.3-0-40-2, Shami of Ajinkya Rahane for 51 and new law was introduced. Test, eventually claimed Warn- es that Yasir has dismissed the pace attack. (Pujara), 4-236 (Rahane), 5-289 (Jadeja), 6-308 8-0-42-0 (w5), Ashwin 5-0-19-0. then took a diving catch at fine Labuschagne scored four er when the nuggety opener was Australian number four. (Kohli), 7-329 (Ashwin), 8-330 (Yadav), 9-331 (Ishant) Toss: Bangladesh Mushfiqur stayed on to Bowling: Al-Amin 22.4-3-85-3 (w5), Abu 21-6-77-2, leg to send back Kohli off pace- 50s in that series but had been unable to avoid a short pitched Labuschagne and Mat- complete his second half- Ebadat 21-3-91-3 (w3), Taijul 25-2-80-1. man Ebadat Hossain. unable to convert any of those ball and edged it to wicketkeep- thew Wade shared in a 110- century of the series with India lost a few quick wick- until his near chanceless in- er Mohammad Rizwan, to leave run partnership before Wade concussion substitute Taijul calls in his favour. ets, but Wriddhiman Saha and nings on Saturday. the Australians 351 for two. But was well caught by Rizwan for Islam losing his wicket for 11 After India’s declaration Hits and misses Shami knocked a few bounda- that was the last hurrah from 60 off Sohail. to paceman Umesh Yadav and in the second session, Ishant ries and a six by the last man Shah’s first success Naseem, who appeared to be The Pakistan bowlers toiled umpires called for end of play. trapped Shadman Islam lbw The pace spearhead, who in pulverised the Bangladesh Earlier, teenage pace sensa- injured and only bowled four hard throughout and were re- Mushfiqur survived two for nought and then claimed claimed five wickets in the first bowlers. tion Naseem Shah claimed his overs in the day. warded when they took the last leg before wicket decisions skipper Mominul Haque for innings, bowled at a lively pace Pacemen Al-Amin Hossain first Test wicket when he had The Pakistanis’ hearts five Australian wickets for 35 that went against him but he a second zero in the same as one of his rising deliveries and Ebadat took three wickets Warner caught behind for 154. must have sunk when they saw runs, with Yasir (4-205) and successfully reviewed both the match. hit Mohammad Mithun on the each. Warner only added three Smith striding to the crease to Shaheen Afridi (2-96) the pick.

Qatar to take on Bahrain in GCC basketball today Gritty Watling puts Kiwis ahead of England at Mount Maunganui AFP from a precarious situation and Mount Maunganui notch his eighth Test century. Scoreboard Much of it was in part- England (1st innings): 353 A gritty BJ Watling, New Zea- nership with Colin de Grand- New Zealand (1st innings, overnight 144-4): J. Raval c Denly b Leach 19 land’s go-to man when the homme in a 119-run stand for T. Latham lbw Curran 8 chips are down, produced an the 6th wkt and followed by an K. Williamson c Stokes b Curran 51 unbeaten 119 to put the Black unbroken 78 with Mitchell Sant- R. Taylor c Pope b Stokes 25 Caps ahead of England in the ner (31 not out) at stumps. H. Nicholls lbw Root 41 B. Watling batting 119 first innings of the openingT est When de Grandhomme C. de Grandhomme c Sibley b Stokes 65 on Saturday. joined Watling New Zealand M. Santner batting 31 At stumps on day three in were 197 for five, with all their Extras: (b22, lb4, w7, nb2) 35 Mount Maunganui, New Zea- recognised batsmen gone and Total: (For six wickets, 141 overs) 394 Fall of wickets: 1-18 (Latham), 2-72 (Raval), 3-106 land were 394 for six to lead England’s 353 looking a long (Taylor), 4-127 (Williamson), 5-197 (Nichols), 6-316 England by 41. The 34-year-old way off. The dismissal of Henry (de Grandhomme). Watling, with a reputation for Nicholls for 41 had the tourists To bat: T. Southee, N. Wagner, T. Boult producing his best when the feeling they were heading for a Bowling: Broad 25-10-45-0, Archer 30-8-84-0 (5w, 1nb), Curran 23-6-74-2, Leach 37-6-97-1, Stokes Five-time winners and defending champion Qatar will face Bahrain in their opening match of the GCC basketball in Kuwait on Sunday. Five teams going is tough, has toiled under comfortable first innings lead, 16-4-37-2 (w2, 1nb), Root 10-2-31-1. area in the fray with hosts Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates being other participants. The event began on Saturday with a match a blazing sun for almost seven but Watling patiently chipped Toss: England. between UAE and Bahrain and it was followed by a clash featuring hosts Kuwait against Saudi Arabia. The final is scheduled on December 1. hours to rescue New Zealand away at the deficit. Ladin stars with the ball for PISQ in U19 schools cricket final

Tribune News Network but Usman and Taha steered DOHA their team out of trouble and took the score to 125 when the Pakistan International latter was dismissed for 39, in- School Qatar (PISQ) emerged cluding five boundaries. the champions of the Qatar From other end, the wick- Under-19 Schools Cricket Championship, overcoming Mohammad Ladin claimed the challenge of Pak Shamaa four wickets for seven School in the final on Saturday. At the Asian Town Stadium runs to seal a splendid win in Industrial Area, PISQ, asked for Pakistan International Muhammad Laid of Pakistan to set the target by the rivals, School Qatar. International School Qatar. posted a fighting 158 for eight Players of PISQ celebrate after the prize distribution on Saturday. in 30 overs, thanks to a fine ets kept falling, Usman howev- company of Ibrahim, collect- third-wicket stand shared by er dug in and ensured his team ing 50 runs for the sixth wick- Qatar Rugby, Hockey Islam, Hassan Raza, Amjad unbeaten Usman, who cracked get past the 150-mark. et. Mustafa provided the cru- and Cricket Association PR Baig, Asif Raza, Mohammad 50 off 46 balls, and Taha. Usman’s half-century in 46 cial breakthrough, removing Director Issa al Yacoub was Nasim, Shakeel, umpires Anil Pak Shamaa School looked balls contained a six and four Ibrahim for seven off 29 balls. the chief guest at the closing Perera, Adrian Glen and scor- like coming across the finish boundaries. Akmal picked Ladin later struck four ceremony and gave away the er Fahad Nadeem. line but they were restricted three wickets for 21 and Bis- times, with three of his wick- awards. Muhammad Ladin scores: PISQ: 158 for eight in 30 overs at 150 with Man of the Match millah had two for 28. ets coming off just two runs, was adjudged the man of the (Muhammad Ladin 15, Taha 39, Usman 50 Muhammad Ladin taking four During the chase, Pak and sealed the splendid vic- match for his 15 runs and four not out; Bismillah 2/28, Akmal 3/21) beat wickets for just seven runs in Shamaa were reeling after los- tory for his team, despite the wickets. Also present on the Pak Shamaa School: 150 all out in 24 overs QRHCA PR Director Issa al Yacoub giving away the prizes of the Qatar his thrilling two-over spell. ing half the side for 62. Khalid rivals benefitting hugely from occasion were QCA officials (Afsarullah 19, Khalid 51 not out; Mustafa Under-19 school boys cricket final at the Asian Town Stadium in PISQ lost two early wickets defied the PISQ bowlers in 59 extra runs. Gul Khan Jadoon, Amin-Ul 3/20, Muhammad Ladin 4/7) by 8 runs. Industrial Area on Saturday. Sports Sunday, November 24, 2019 15 Liverpool late show sinks Palace as Mourinho magic lifts Spurs

Bayern Munich’s Corentin Tolisso Manchester City move up to third after 2-1 win over Chelsea; Lacazette steal point for hapless Arsenal celebrtates during the Bundes- liga match against Fortuna AFP gling West Ham, who have now Duesseldorf on Saturday. (AFP) London lost five out of their past six Pre- mier League matches. Liverpool showed once Southampton took an early Bayern climb again why they are kings of the lead at the Emirates when Dan- late winner at Crystal Palace ny Ings fired them in front after to second, on Saturday as Jose Mourinho Ryan Bertrand’s quick free-kick. made an instant impact as Tot- Alexandre Lacazette lev- Gladbach slip tenham boss, masterminding elled in the 18th minute after an end to the club’s dismal away strike partner Pierre-Emer- up in Berlin record in the Premier League ick Aubameyang’s shot was against rivals West Ham. blocked by Bertrand. AFP Elsewhere, second-placed James Ward-Prowse scored Berlin Leicester beat Brighton 2-0 to in the 71st minute but Lacazette stay eight points behind Jurgen saved Unai Emery’s blushes Bayern Munich went sec- Klopp’s leaders while struggling with a goal deep into stoppage ond in the Bundesliga on Sat- Arsenal were held 2-2 at home time. In-form Wolves won 2-1 urday with a 4-0 romp at For- by Southampton. at 10-man Bournemouth cour- tuna Duesseldorf as leaders Liverpool looked set to drop tesy of a Joao Moutinho free- Borussia Moenchengladbach points for just the second time kick and Raul Jimenez’s goal to suffered a shock 2-0 defeat at this season after Wilfried Zaha climb to fifth in the table. Union Berlin. cancelled out Sadio Mane’s Norwich lifted themselves Bayern’s interim coach opener but Roberto Firmino off bottom spot in the Premier Hansi Flick enjoyed his third poked in after a goalmouth Tottenham Hotspur’s Jose Mourinho with striker Harry Kane (right) and midfielder Harry Winks after the match against West Ham United at the League with a 2-0 victory away straight win since Niko Kovac scramble to seal a 2-1 win. London Stadium on Saturday. (AFP) to Everton while Burnley beat was sacked earlier this month as Hosts Palace were denied struggling Watford 3-0. Munich moved to within a point a shock first-half opener when London Stadium, Son Heung- Mourinho to a sceptical Spurs players into the final months “That’s where I belong (on Manchester City beat Chel- of Gladbach. James Tomkins’ header was min, Lucas Moura and Harry support, who were sad to see of his contract and showing no the touchline), that is my natu- sea 2-1 as Pep Guardiola desper- “I enjoy the here and now. It disallowed after VAR adjudged Kane were on the scoresheet for Pochettino dismissed just six signs of agreeing a new deal. ral habitat,” added Mourinho. ate for a win to breathe new life will be like that until Christmas that Jordan Ayew had fouled Spurs as Mourinho won his first months after leading the club “It was very, very important. “I just love it. When things go in into his team’s title challenge af- and I’m just trying to do my job Dejan Lovren. game in charge 3-2 days after to a first-ever Champions Eleven months without music in your direction, winning is the ter three defeats in City’s open- well,” Flick told Sky over the Po- Second-half goals from replacing the sacked Mauricio League final. the away dressing room, with- best feeling.” ing 12 games. chettino rumours. Ayoze Perez and Jamie Vardy Pochettino. Mourinho followed Po- out a smile, without happiness The former Chelsea and City leapfrog Chelsea into “We all know that football gave Leicester their fifth succes- The win – the club’s first chettino’s example in leaving and they did it,” said Mourinho Manchester United boss will third spot – one point behind is a daily business. All I can sive league win. away league victory since out Christian Eriksen, with the on ending Spurs’ away-day know he has far stiffer challeng- second-placed Leicester and say is that I enjoy working In the early kick-off at the January – will help to endear Dane one of a number of Spurs blues. es ahead of him than a strug- nine behind leaders Liverpool. with the team, and they are doing very well.” A top-of-the-table show- down beckons in a fortnight when Gladbach host Bayern at Borussia Park. Vidal salvages victory for below-par Barcelona Bayern routed Dusseldorf with goals by Philippe Coutin- DPA second half. Barcelona defender Gerard ho, Serge Gnabry, Benjamin Pa- Barcelona ”It was a big win because the Pique hit the post in the second vard and Corentin Tolisso, with game was very difficult,” Barce- half helping to spark the come- Robert Lewandowski failing to Champions Barcelona came lona coach Ernesto Valverde back. score in a league game for the from behind to beat bottom said. “The pitch was dreadful, He had been close to En- first time this season and end- club Leganes 2-1 away and stay there was a lot of wind and they Nesyri when the Leganes for- ing his record 11-match run. top of La Liga on Saturday. scored early. ward put his side ahead. In Berlin, Gladbach suffered Youssef En-Nesyri scored “I don’t want it to sound like After the game Pique de- their third defeat this season as on 12 minutes for the hosts with an excuse but it made it hard fended himself against claims they became the latest top six a shot from the edge of the area. and still we were able to win. It he has been distracted this week club to lose at Union. But Lionel Messi floated a wasn’t a brilliant game but these by the Davis Cup which his com- “Union were ice cold ... and free-kick to Luis Suarez and he are the ones you have to win to pany Kosmos has organised. scored off their first chance,” headed level on 53 minutes. win the title.” “I spoke to the manager but said Gladbach midfielder Flo- Barcelona had been disap- But it was substitute Arturo it was a friendly discussion. The rian Neuhaus, “we ran a lot, pointing and Antoine Griez- Vidal who scored the winner relationship with the club is but we couldn’t score. It’s a Barcelona players react after scoring against Club Deportivo Leganes SAD during their Spanish league mann cut a forlorn figure from close range with 10 min- good. All the noise is from out- bitter defeat.” match at the Estadio Municipal Butarque in Leganes on Saturday. (AFP) when he was replaced in the utes left. side,” Pique said. Icardi, Di Maria hand PSG Al Ahli rally to beat Al Sadd in Ooredoo Cup victory as Neymar returns two-time defending champions Umm Salal hold Group A leaders Al Gharafa 3-1 in Group A. The AFP fore being replaced by Kylian win moves to joint top of the Paris Mbappe, who was on the bench Al Rayyan to 2-2 draw group alongside Qatar SC who at kick-off having struggled drew 1-1 against Al Arabi. Neymar made his latest with illness in recent days. Tribune News Network made more opportunities. Al Duhail and Al Sailiya comeback from injury for Paris Neymar only produced Doha Also on Saturday, group also played out a thrilling Saint-Germain on Friday as brief glimpses of his class and leaders Al Rayyan were held to 2-2 draw. first-half goals by Mauro Icardi headed straight to the dress- Al Ahli fought back from be- a 2-2 draw by a late Umm Salal Muraj Naji’s free kick and Angel Di Maria saw the ing room after being taken off, ing two goals down to beat Al fight back. flew past everyone, beating Ligue 1 leaders ease to a 2-0 with some supporters jeering Sadd 4-3 in a thrilling Group A Argentine defender Ga- Saud Abdullah in goal for Al win over Lille at the Parc des the 27-year-old as he departed. match of the 2019-20 Ooredoo briel Mercado put the Lions Rayyan. Princes. The main reason for his Cup on Saturday. ahead on the half hour mark Meanwhile, Al Shahania The in-form Icardi opened withdrawal, however, will have A brace from Abel Mathias when he thumped home and Al Wakrah played out a the scoring from close range in been to keep him fresh for next (13th minute and 38th-minute from close range after Dame barren draw at the Al Wakrah the 17th minute with his 10th Tuesday’s trip to Real Madrid penalty), Mohammed Diame Traore’s flick found him un- Stadium. goal in PSG’s last nine games, when he will hope to make his (21st minute) and Parou Babou marked in the box. Al Wakrah’s Mohamed and Di Maria doubled their lead first Champions League ap- Sadeeqi (88th minute) moved Fielding a strong side, Benyetou and Al Shahania’s just after the half-hour mark. pearance of the campaign. the Brigadiers to second in Diego Aguirre’s side made it Nigel de Jong tested the goal- Despite not being near their Lille had beaten PSG 5-1 at the group on six points behind two from the penalty spot in keepers in the first half. best, Thomas Tuchel’s side were home when the sides last met leaders Al Rayyan. the 58th minute as captain Al Wakrah’s Jassim Al Jala- too strong for the team who fin- in April, but they came here Moustafa Tareq and Rami Rodrigo Tabata made no mis- bi came close after resumption, ished runners-up behind them on a run of just one win in nine Suhail had given Al Sadd the take from the penalty spot. but could not find the target in France last season. matches and without an away lead inside 12 minutes. Saoud Staring at a loss, Umm in a one-on-one with the goal- After just 14 games, PSG victory since March. Ibrahim al Nasr scored in addi- Salal were presented a life- Action from the Ooredoo Cup match between Al Ahli and Al Sadd at keeper. Faisal Abdullah too are 11 points clear of second- They were without their top tional time for the Wolves who line on 90th minute when the Al Ahli Stadium on Saturday. made an attempt, but in vain. placed Marseille, who play on scorer, Nigerian striker Victor remain fourth on three points. Yanick Sagbo was brought On Al Shahania’s part, Kesse Sunday. Osimhen due to suspension, Al Sadd dominated the ex- down in the box for a pen- struggling Umm Salal. found the equaliser in added Amangoua and Abdulla Hamad Neymar had not played for and coach Christophe Galtier changes with 54 percent pos- alty. Sagbo stepped and The Orange Fortress were time. came up with feeble attempts as his club since October 5, hav- had been left reeling when two session, but it was Al Ahli who calmly slotted home for the however not done and soon On Friday, Al Khor stunned the deadlock remained. ing suffered a hamstring injury of his assistants – Portuguese playing for Brazil in a friendly duo Joao Sacramento and against Nigeria a week later. Nuno Santos – left 48 hours On just his sixth appear- before this game to team up ance of the campaign, Neymar with Jose Mourinho at Totten- lasted a little over an hour be- ham Hotspur. Canada beat Russia to reach ‘historic’ first Davis Cup final

AFP Rublev in a dramatic deciding- ous last-four defeats in 1913 Madrid set tie-break to set up a final and 2013. clash against either Britain or “We’ve got a huge day, a Denis Shapovalov and Vasek hosts Spain on Sunday. historic day for us tomorrow, Pospisil led Canada to their “I thought both teams and we’re going to leave it all maiden Davis Cup final with played phenomenal,” Canada out there,” said world number victory in a deciding doubles captain Frank Dancevic said. 150 Pospisil. rubber against Russia in Ma- “The Russians threw eve- They secured a 6-3, 3-6, drid on Saturday. rything they had at us, it was 7-6 (7/5) victory on their sec- The 20-year-old just a matter of who came up ond match point to finish a Shapovalov had drawn Can- with the better shots. There tie which lasted six and a half ada level by beating Karen was no room for error today – hours. Khachanov after Andrey they went for their shots, went Canada have reached the Rublev’s win over Pospisil in big in the big moments, and final despite being without the Canada players Frank Dancevic, Milos Raonic, Felix Auger-Aliassime, the opening match. here we are into the final.” injured Felix Auger-Aliassime, Denis Shapovalov and Vasek Pospisil celebrate after winning the Paris Saint-Germain’s Mauro Icardi scores against Lille (LOSC) during The Canadian pair then It was their third Davis the world number 22, with Po- semi-final doubles match against Russia at the Davis Cup Madrid their Ligue 1 match at the Parc des Princes in Paris on Friday. (AFP) edged out Khachanov and Cup semi-final, after previ- spisil stepping up instead. Finals on Saturday. (AFP)