Mighty Al Sadd Challenge for Bottom Side Kharaitiyat Al Duhail Will Take on Al Shahania, While Qatar SC and Al Gharafa Lock Horns Today
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CCHESSHESS | Page 3 NNBABA | Page 5 Carlsen to McCollum’s defend world 40 points crown against power Blazers American hope past Bucks Thursday, November 8, 2018 CRICKET Safar 30, 1440 AH Foakes, spinners GULF TIMES put England on top in Galle Test SPORT Page 2 SPOTLIGHT Tight battle expected for GCT runner-up position Doha will also provide the last chance for individual riders to qualify for the GCT Super Grand Prix at the Playoff s in Prague By Sahan Bidappa Doha ith British rider Ben Maher hav- ing already sealed the title, the Glo- Wbal Champions Tour fi nals at Al Shaqab will see intense battle for the runner-up position. Seven riders are still in contention to fi nish behind Maher, who, with 284 points from 15 rounds, has taken an unassailable lead and will be crowned as new champion on Saturday. Alberto Zorzi is currently sec- ond with 237 points, but the Ital- ian has just a four-point lead over last year’s overall champion Harrie Smolders of the Netherlands. But what makes it interesting is the The vet check for the horses was held at Al Shaqab yesterday. fact that just 28 points separate Zorzi and eighth-placed Christian fi ed for the GCL Super Cup at the fold between the teams currently and test themselves against other Ahlmann of Germany. And with Playoff s and Sheikh Ali was proud in 3rd, 4th and 5th places on the best talents in the country over a 40 points for a win at Al Shaqab, of the achievement and was hop- ranking. Miami Celtics on 244 gruelling 12 legs, which is spread the battle for second place can ing for a podium fi nish at his home points are only nine points ahead over six months. swing many ways. event. “We did our best and we of Rome Gladiators and they are Germany’s Daniel Deusser at could also do better but in another only one point in front of Shang- Global Champions Tour fourth place has 233 points, while way we are happy that we have hai Swans. These highly com- schedule Briton Scott Brash holds fi fth spot at least qualifi ed for the fi nal in petitive teams are fi elding their Today: 2:45pm: CSI 5* Two phases with a tally of 225. Two-time GCT Prague which was the ambition for star performers to ensure they 1.45m (€25.000); 5:45pm: CSI 5* Grand Prix winner Nicola Philip- us this year and we are looking to fi nish in the top 4 to go into the GCL of Doha Round 1 - 1.50/1.55m paerts of Belgium sits in sixth with have a podium in Doha this year,” GC Playoff s. (€60.000 to individual class 219 and two-time GCT title holder he said. Further down the ranking 6th winners) Edwina Tops-Alexander of Aus- Al Shaqab will also play host to place Montreal Diamonds, 7th Tomorrow: 4:30pm: CSI tralia is on 212 overall. the fi nals of the team competi- place Scandinavian Vikings and 5* Against-the-clock 1.45m Smolders said he was eager to tion – Global Champions League, 8th place St Tropez Pirates will (€50.000); 6:30pm: CSI 5* Against- fi nish on the podium this week- Qatar’s Sheikh Ali bin Khalid al-Thani (L) and Bassem Mohamed will be hoping for a home win at the which is set for a fascinating cli- be aiming for a podium spot to the-clock with jump-off 1.50/1.55m end, with the Dutchman needing Global Champions Tour at Al Shaqab. PICTURE: Lotfi Garsi max to the season. have a last chance to move up (€145.000) to fi nish in the top 15. He will part- Only 16 out of 19 teams can into the top 4. On Saturday: 2:30pm: CSI 5* GCL ner 14–year-old Stallion Don VHP must-win situation to fi nish third Champions League Super Cup at won silver at the Asian Games in qualify for the new GC Play- Meanwhile, the third leg of of Doha Round 2 - 1.55/1.60m Z N.O.P., and the two have history in the overall championship. The the Playoff s. Jakarta, said it will be a big test off s in Prague in December and the Hathab National Equestrian (€95.000 to individual class of producing top performance to- Australian, is a regular to Doha, For local fans, they will be eager for him as he pairs up with an in- the top four teams will be fast- series will also be held simulta- winners); 5:45pm: CSI 5* Longines gether. and will fancy her chances. Tops- to see another home rider emerge experienced horse. “I will be rid- tracked to the semi-fi nals of neously with the GCT tomorrow Global Champions Tour Grand The pair won in Hamburg Alexander will be astride Califor- triumphant. Last year, Bassem ing a young horse, which does not the GC Playoff s. There are two and on Saturday. A brainchild of Prix of Doha - 1.60m (€375.000) and fi nished third in Paris. “It all nia and Inca Boy van T Vianahof as Hassan Mohamed thrilled the have much experience. But it has teams in contention to win the HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al- Hathab schedule comes down to Doha. If I look at she goes all out for a win. crowd by becoming the fi rst Qatar lot of potential, and we won the trophy - London Knights on 323 Thani, President of the Qatar Ol- Tomorrow: 9am: Against the the scores at the moment, it is Doha will also provide the last rider to taste a GCT Grand Prix win bronze at the Asian Games. I hope points and Valkenswaard United ympic Committee, Hathab was a clock NO Jump Off 1.00/1.15m; very, very close from second to chance for individual riders to at Al Shaqab. While Bassem will that I can produce a top quality on 300 points. Both teams have runaway success in its inaugural 2pm: Against the clock WITH eighth place, with any of those qualify for the GCT Super Grand be going for an encore, there are performance here. We have been been locked in thrilling combat season. Jump Off 1.20/1.30m riders able to fi nish on the podium. Prix at the Playoff s in Prague in hopes that his compatriot Sheikh working hard with it in the last few at 15 events this season and the The series – worth QR1mn in Saturday: 9am: Against the clock I defi nitely want to take my chanc- December. And the top 16 teams in Ali bin Khalid al-Thani will stand weeks, so we will see how it goes. battle is set to go down the wire overall prize money – provides NO Jump Off 1.15/1.25m; 11:50am: es,” Smolders said. the fi nal overall ranking after Doha on top of the podium of this time. It will be a big test for us,” he said. in Doha. an opportunity for young riders Against the clock with Jump Off Tops-Alexander is facing a will go also through to the Global Sheikh Ali, who earlier this year Doha Fursan Qatar has quali- Another great contest will un- from Qatar to gain experience 1.30/1.45m FOOTBALL CRICKET Infantino: only ‘slim chance’ Boult hat-trick fuels New Zealand’s of 48-team World Cup in 2022 win over Pakistan in Abu Dhabi ODI DPA “It would be great if it works out but AFP seventh wicket. Zurich it is also great if it doesn’t work out. We Abu Dhabi Boult exposed Pakistan’s batting will have a great tournament, no matter woes early on, bowling Zaman off his what.” By the time of the Miami meeting pads before having Azam caught at slip decision on a possible expan- a FIFA task force, headed by Infantino, rent Boult became the third and then trapping Hafeez leg-before sion of the 2022 World Cup will have completed its look into the New Zealand bowler to claim with a sharp inswinging delivery. from 32 to 48 teams will be controversial Club World Cup and Na- a one-day international hat- He joined fast bowlers Danny Mor- Amade in March at the latest, tions League issue which is backed by trick as his side defeated Pa- rison (v India at Napier in 1999) and and the chances of it happening are slim, 25bn dollars from so far unnamed inves- Tkistan by 47 runs in the fi rst match in Shane Bond (v Australia at Hobart in FIFA president Gianni Infantino has tors, the FIFA boss said. Abu Dhabi yesterday. 2007) as the only New Zealanders to said. Infantino confi rmed to DPA that The task force was set up recently ow- Pace spearhead Boult reduced Paki- take an ODI hat-trick. the FIFA Council will decide on the issue ing to pressure from critics within the stan to 8 for 3 in their chase of 267 after Imam-ul-Haq (34) and Shoaib Ma- at its March 14-15 meeting in Miami, and FIFA Council, mainly from Europe, who he dismissed Fakhar Zaman (one), Ba- lik (30) added 63 for the fourth wicket he also expects a decision there on the want more information on the investors bar Azam (nought) and Mohamed Ha- but both fell in successive overs be- introduction of an expanded Club World and possible tournament formats.