SATURDAY 2 NOVEMBER 2019 SPORT 18 She’s having a great year, so Karolina Pliskova it’s going to be super tough. believes she would be the TODAY’S ACTION It’s going to be a big underdog against Al Khor vs Al Gharafa: Al Khor Stadium at 17:15 challenge but I have nothing Ashleigh Barty in the to lose. semi-final of WTA Finals Al Duhail vs Al Sadd: Al Duhail Stadium at 19:25

New Zealand team pose for pictures after winning the bronze medals following their win over at the Tokyo Stadium in Tokyo, Japan, yesterday. All Blacks veterans sign-off with bronze AFP the Welsh by six tries to two. early penalty, but that was merely left Wales prop the stroke of half-time, taking a line-ups, Hansen having made TOKYO The result means New a blip as the All Blacks looked to prone. long pass from his namesake seven changes to the team which Zealand have won 32 of their 35 run the ball at every opportunity A sustained period of Welsh Aaron and powerfully handing off lost 19-7 to England and Gatland Veteran winger scored meetings with Wales, last losing at a packed Tokyo Stadium. pressure then followed and paid to slide into the nine from the side that went a classy try double as New in 1953, while Hansen’s incredible The first try came quickly, the off after Patchell found Hallam corner. down 19-16 to South Africa. Zealand beat Wales 40-17 to record includes just 10 defeats in influential Aaron Smith finding Amos with a long miss-pass, the Mo’unga added the extras to One ever-present on the team clinch third spot at the Rugby 107 Tests in charge. skipper , who full-back dummying Mo’unga and leave New Zealand in complete list for Wales, however, has been World Cup on Friday in the Gatland, under whose charge offloaded to , the shooting over for a try. control at 28-10 at half-time. , and the winger bur- perfect send-off for storied coach Wales have won 85 of their 151 lock stepping inside Patchell added the conversion The cut-and-thrust, running rowed over from close range for . Tests -- but have lost all 12 and producing a brilliant back- and then a simple penalty, but rugby continued in the second a seventh try of the tournament In what was the final Test for matches against his native New handed pass to , the New Zealand roared back period, Ben Smith surging deep to usurp ’ Welsh both Hansen and Wales coun- Zealand -- might have joked that prop bounding in from 20 metres through veteran Ben Smith, the into Welsh territory before Sonny record of at a World Cup. terpart , after it would have been better to settle for a great front rower’s try. winger jinking his way through a Bill Williams provided a perfect The game becamse increas- seven and 12 years at their the play-off by a drinking game, Mo’unga converted and crowded defence after good offload for centre partner Ryan ingly error-strewn, but Mo’unga respective helms, both sides pro- but both teams showed intent on added a second after Beauden lead-up work by Read and Liam Crotty to cross for the try. stepped through ’s duced an entertaining encounter the pitch. Barrett scampered over after a Coltman. Both sides were much dif- poor tackle for a late try, taking that saw New Zealand outscore RichieceMou Mo’ungagag missedm ssed an a neateat Aaron ao SSmith t dodrop-offpofp tthatat Smith,Sth,, 33,33 got his double on ferent from their semi-final his personal tally to 15 points. Strong England hold upper Previous World Cup finals 2015 - NEW ZEALAND 34, AUSTRALIA 17 Led by the indomitable Richie McCaw, the All Blacks became the first team to retain the title despite a spirited hand against Boks in final comeback from the Wallabies, who were down 21-3 before rallying with 14 unanswered points. REUTERS opener against the All Blacks, but South took over two years ago and his multi- 2011 - NEW ZEALAND 8, FRANCE 7 TOKYO Africa have also never lost a final, racial, multi-lingual side have looked It would prove to be third time unlucky for an inspired including the 2007 title-decider against supremely confident and eminently France as the All Blacks held firm finally to secure their second England will rightly be favourites to win England. comfortable in themselves and their title on home soil. today’s World Cup final after dethroning Having beaten Australia in the game at this World Cup. 2007 - SOUTH AFRICA 15,ENGLAND 6 the All Blacks last weekend but they are quarter-finals, England will need to Jones has twice before master- In only the second try-less final, the Springboks prevented likely to have to pull another big complete an unprecedented sweep of minded stunning upsets at the World England from becoming the first side to defend their crown performance out of the bag to prevent victories over the three southern hem- Cup - Australia beating the All as full-back Percy Montgomery kicked four penalties while South Africa from securing a third isphere superpowers in successive Blacks in the 2003 semi-finals centre Francois Steyn added another from long range. crown. weeks to get their hands on the Webb and Japan downing the 2003 ENGLAND 20, AUSTRALIA 17 The intensity of England’s per- Ellis Cup for a second time. Springboks in 2015 - only for England’s and Australia’s Elton Flatley formance in the 19-7 victory over double That would be a considerable his team to lose their next converted four penalties each in a tense 100-minute affair defending champions New Zealand last achievement in itself but Jones, who was match. that went to extra time courtesy of a last-gasp three-pointer Saturday will be mighty tough to rep- able to name the same starting line-up His Wallabies from the Wallabies fly-half. licate in any case, but if any team could as that which won the semi-final, has came pretty close to 1999 - AUSTRALIA 35, FRANCE 12 resist the onslaught, it is probably the raised expectations so high that it would backing up 16 years Australian full-back Matt Burke punished French ill-dis- doughty Springboks. The hope of the no longer be considered a surprise. ago, however, cipline with seven penalties to add to his two conversions at thousands of England fans pouring into In George Ford and Owen Farrell, with Clive the newly-constructed . the Tokyo area for the match, though, England have two top quality place- Woodward’s 1995 - SOUTH AFRICA 15, NEW ZEALAND 12 is that Australian coach Eddie Jones kickers and world class playmakers, England needing Newly-elected South African president Nelson Mandela might have a few more tricks up his while wingers Anthony Watson and extra time and a saw the World Cup on home soil as an opportunity to unite sleeve for the return to Yokohama Inter- Jonny May have proved themselves to last-minute Jonny a country torn apart by Apartheid and the Springboks duly national Stadium today. be the match for any outside backs at Wilkinson drop goal delivered with a narrow victory over the all-conquering All South Africa, by contrast, are the tournament. to secure their maiden Blacks. unlikely to stray very far from the tried South Africa might have finished title at Sydney’s Olympic 1991 - AUSTRALIA 12, ENGLAND 6 and tested pressure game that allowed third at the World Cup in England four stadium. The Wallabies lifted the for the first time them to bludgeon their way past Wales years ago but they too have endured World Cup finals are rarely England’s captain Owen thanks to a single converted try from prop Tony Daly and two under a bombardment of high balls in humiliation over the last few seasons, expansive affairs and it would be no Farrell during a practice Michael Lynagh penalties. the second semi-final last weekend. not least when they lost eight of 12 tests great surprise if it took something sim- session on the eve of 1987 - NEW ZEALAND 29, FRANCE 9 No team has ever won the World in 2016. ilarly dramatic to decide the champions today’s World Cup final The All Blacks laid down the marker in the very first World Cup after losing a pool match, as the Erasmus has managed to turn things of the ninth edition of rugby’s showpiece against South Africa. Cup final, dominating from start to finish as fly-half Grant Springboks did in their tournament around in remarkable fashion since he tournament. Fox’s kicking helped his team gain territory time and again. Warner leads Australia to T20 England beat Kiwis in first T20 AFP SCOREBOARD NEW ZEALAND whitewash over Sri Lanka M. Guptill b S.Curran ...... 2 England cruised to a seven-wicket victory over New C. Munro c Morgan b Jordan...... 21 T. Siefert c Bairstow b Jordan ...... 32 AP Zealand in the opening Twenty20 international in SCOREBOARD C. de Grandhomme c Vince b Rashid ...... 19 MELBOURNE Christchurch yesterday. SRI LANKA Bowling: Starc 4-0-32-2, Richardson R. Taylor c Bairstow b Brown ...... 44 K. Mendis c McDermott b Richardson .....13 4-0-25-2, Cummins 4-0-23-2, Zampa James Vincent top-scored for the tourists with 59, D. Mitchell not out ...... 30 Australia beat Sri Lanka by seven wickets yesterday at the N. Dickwella c McDermott b Starc ...... 0 4-0-30-0, Agar 4-0-24-0 notching his maiden T20 half century as England M.Santner not out ...... 1 Melbourne Cricket Ground to complete a lopsided three- K. Perera c Turner b Cummins ...... 57 AUSTRALIA chased down New Zealand’s 154-run target in 18.3 Total (5 wickets, 20 overs, lb3, w1) 153 match Twenty20 series victory. A. Fernando c McDermott b Cummins ...20 A. Finch c Jayasuriya b Kumara ...... 37 overs. Bowling: S.Curran 4-0-33-1, T.Curran 4-1-25-0 (xw), Sri Lanka, sent into bat, scored 142-6 before Australia O. Fernando c Carey b Richardson ...... 6 D. Warner not out ...... 57 “The game was won and lost in the first Jordan 4-0-28-2, Rashid 4-0-31-1, Brown 4-0-33-1 overtook that total with 145-3 with 14 balls to spare. B. Rajapaksa not out ...... 17 S. Smith c Sandakan b Pradeep ...... 13 innings... James Vince played outstanding well but ENGLAND Australia won the first match in Adelaide by 134 runs S. Jayasuriya b Starc ...... 12 B. McDermott lbw Malinga ...... 5 all credit to the bowlers today,” captain Eoin J. Bairstow c Guptill b Santner ...... 35 and the second in Brisbane by nine wickets. David Warner, L. Malinga not out ...... 8 A. Turner not out ...... 22 Morgan said. D. Malan c Sodhi b Santner ...... 11 who was not dismissed in the three matches, won player of Extras (lb8, w1) ...... 9 Extras (lb5, w6) ...... 11 A three-wicket haul from spinner Mitchell J. Vince c Guptill b Santner ...... 59 E. Morgan not out ...... 34 the series for his 217 runs, including an unbeaten 57 yes- Total (six wickets, 20 overs) ... 142 Total (three wickets, 17.4 overs) 145 Santner was not enough to rescue the Black Caps, Did not bat: Lakshan Sandakan, Nu- Fall of wickets: 1-69, 2-85, 3-99 S. Billings not out ...... 14 terday. Warner scored 100 in Adelaide and 60 in Brisbane. whose batting line-up failed to fire after England wan Pradeep, Lahiru Kumara Bowling: Malinga 4-0-22-1, Kumara Total (3 wickets, 18.3 overs, w1) 154 Australia will host Pakistan in a three-match T20 series Fall of wickets: 1-3, 2-33, 3-76, 4-99, 4-0-49-1, Pradeep 3.4-0-20-1, Jayas- won the toss and opted to bowl. Bowling: Southee 3.3-0-30-0 (1w), Ferguson 4-0-28-8, beginning tomorrow in Sydney. It will be followed by a two- 5-110, 6-132 uriya 2-0-24-0, Sandakan 4-0-25-0 The second fixture in the five-match series takes Kuggeleijn 3-0-35-0, Santner 4-0-23-3, Sodhi 4-0-38-0 Test series between the teams in Brisbane and Adelaide. place in tomorrow. SATURDAY 2 NOVEMBER 2019 SPORT 19

Aguero holds Djokovic, Dimitrov key to Man City’s title to clash in semi-final defence AFP ATP Paris Masters Corentin Moutet and Kyle PARIS AFP Results from the fifth day Edmund in his first two matches, LONDON of the ATP Paris Masters but was at his irrepressible best Novak Djokovic produced a yesterday en route to a 5-0 lead. magnificent performance to (x denotes seeding): Tsitsipas, encouraged by a Sergio Aguero holds the key to thrash seventh seed Stefanos Quarter-finals packed crowd, avoided a first- Manchester City’s bid to Tsitsipas 6-1, 6-2 yesterday and Novak Djokovic (SRB x1) bt set bagel by saving three set overhaul Premier League set up a Paris Masters semi-final Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE x7) points, only for Djokovic to serve leaders Liverpool as the against Grigor Dimitrov. 6-1, 6-2 it out in the following game after Argentine striker reaps the The 32-year-old, battling Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) bt a mere 28 minutes on court. rewards of the “best decision of Rafael Nadal for the year-end The 21-year-old’s misery his life”. Cristian Garin (CHI) 6-2, 7-5 world number one spot, dis- was compounded by a time vio- When Aguero walks onto patched Greek star Tsitsipas in lation in the third game of the the Etihad Stadium pitch ahead only 58 minutes. which start on November 10. second set, and Serbian Djokovic of today’s clash with South- The 16-time Grand Slam Djokovic holds an 8-1 duly broke his serve. ampton, he will feel more at champion went into the match winning head-to-head record Another break to love helped one with his surroundings than with a 2-1 losing record against against Dimitrov, who saw off the top seed forge 5-1 in front, he would ever have imagined Tsitsipas, but put the youngster unseeded Chilean Cristian Garin and Tsitsipas’ humiliation was when he arrived eight years in his place with a commanding 6-2, 7-5 earlier in the day. complete when he carved a ago. victory. “It was a really good “It will obviously be a dif- forehand wide on match point. Back then, Aguero was a match for me today,” said ficult match,” said Djokovic, who Former world number three talented but not yet fully Djokovic. “All week and all year is bidding to tie Pete Sampras’ Dimitrov last reached the semis rounded player hoping to here, it’s great to play in Paris.” record of finishing as the year- at a Masters tournament in thrive in England after a Djokovic will be usurped by end number one on six Monte Carlo in 2018, but has promising start to his Nadal at the top of the rankings occasions. rediscovered his form in recent European career with Atletico next week, but can ensure the “I have lots of respect for weeks after heading into the US Madrid. fight to be the best player at the him. He has lots of talent and is Open ranked 78th. The intervening years end of the year reaches the ATP very quick. But I have lots of The Bulgarian became the have been a dream come true Tour Finals in London by confidence after this match lowest-ranked player to reach a for Aguero, who is now City’s winning a record-extending fifth today.” Grand Slam semi-final since Novak Djokovic of Serbia record goal-scorer and has title at Bercy. Tsitsipas made a nightmare 2008 at Flushing Meadows, in action against Stefanos amassed four Premier The crushing defeat ended start, as back-to-back double before losing to Daniil Tsitsipas of Greece League titles, one FA Cup and Tsitsipas’ run of three consec- faults gifted his illustrious Medvedev. Dimitrov has now during the Rolex Paris four League Cups while utive semi-finals and dealt a opponent a break in just the won three consecutive matches Masterstournament at helping the club’s become blow to his confidence ahead of second game. Djokovic had been in straight sets at Bercy, where AccorHotels Arena in Paris, top dogs in Manchester after his maiden appearance at the struggling with illness earlier in he had lost in the third round in France, yesterday. decades of dominance from season-ending championships, the week and laboured past each of the previous six years. United. Aguero marked his 350th appearance with two goals against Southampton in the League Cup fourth round win WTA Finals: Pliskova to face Barty on Tuesday, giving him 12 for the season and 243 in his City career. For all the brilliance of his after thrilling victory against Halep City team-mates Raheem Sterling and Kevin De Bruyne, AFP in the third set to jump out to a 2-0 lead. it is the 31-year-old Aguero and SHENZHEN, CHINA The twists continued with Pliskova the guarantee of goals which regaining control but she was unable to remains the key element in Karolina Pliskova overcame a mid- serve it out in the ninth game. their bid for a third successive match stutter to book a semi-final She’s having a great year, Halep’s late rally was short-lived as English title. showdown with world number one so it’s going to be super Pliskova booked her third straight semi- Ashleigh Barty after a three-set victory tough. It’s going to be a finals appearance at the WTA Finals. English Premier over Simona Halep at the WTA Finals The Romanian lamented her incon- League yesterday. big challenge but I have sistent performance. nothing to lose: Pliskova Fixtures The world number two lost six “I didn’t play my best tennis,” Halep (1500 GMT unless stated) straight games in the second and third said. Today sets but eventually prevailed 6-0, 2-6, Pliskova started red hot against Halep “But she was good. It’s a tough loss.” Arsenal vs Wolves, Aston Villa 6-4 in one hour and 43 minutes to secure winning 13 of the first 16 points en route In the earlier match, Svitolina was vs Liverpool, Bournemouth the Purple Group’s second spot. to blitzing through the first set in just 20 pushed in the dead-rubber by world vs Manchester Utd (1230 Defending champion Elina Svitolina minutes. No.12 Kenin, who replaced Bianca GMT), Brighton vs Norwich, will play Belinda Bencic in the other Halep appeared rejuvenated after Andreescu after the US Open champion Manchester City vs semi-final after she capped off an receiving a pep talk from coach Darren suffered a knee injury against Pliskova Southampton, Sheffield Utd vs unbeaten round robin campaign with a Cahill between sets as the match flipped. on Wednesday. Burnley, Watford vs Chelsea 7-5, 7-6 (12/10) victory over late The Wimbledon champion finally hit the Kenin was the second replacement (1730 GMT), West Ham vs replacement Sofia Kenin. scoreboard by breaking to open the used at the tournament after Kiki Newcastle Pliskova believed she would be the second set and she rediscovered her Bertens stepped in for world number Karolina Pliskova of underdog against Barty. “She’s having touch, hitting menacing slices to rattle three Naomi Osaka, who withdrew due Tomorrow Czech Republic hits a Crystal Palace vs Leicester a great year, so it’s going to be super Pliskova. to a shoulder injury. Svitolina was return against Simona tough,” she said. Halep broke Pliskova’s suddenly relieved the match didn’t go the distance (1400 GMT), Everton vs Halep of Romania in “It’s going to be a big challenge but tentative serve three times to force a ahead of today’s semi-final against Tottenham (1630 GMT) Shenzhen yesterday. I have nothing to lose.” An aggressive decider and her momentum continued Bencic. Verstappen tops times in Texas Quartararo dominates

AFP Red Bull Racing Honda driver Max Verstappen (33) of Netherlands during practice for the United Malaysia practice AUSTIN States Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas yesterday. AFP “really happy” to set a new lap Fresh from his frustrations in SEPANG record at the challenging Sepang Mexico, Red Bull’s Max circuit but cautioned there was Verstappen topped the times Fabio Quartararo clocked the still a long weekend of racing ahead of Sebastian Vettel’s fastest practice time and set a ahead. Ferrari in yesterday’s opening new lap record at Sepang “For sure in the qualifying, free practice at this weekend’s yesterday ahead of the if it is good weather, we will United States Grand Prix. Malaysian MotoGP, a boost for need to beat it again to make the The Dutchman, who will the French rookie after he front row.” make his 100th Grand Prix start crashed out in Australia. The result will nevertheless tomorrow, clocked a best lap in The 20-year-old Petronas lift the confidence of the up- one minute and 34.057 seconds Yamaha rider, whose race at and-coming rider, who finished to outpace the four-time Phillip Island last week ended second to already-crowned champion German by 0.169 at turn two when he collided world champion Marc Marquez seconds. with Danilo Petrucci, powered in Japan last month, after a Verstappen had pole position to a quickest lap of 1min double disaster in Australia. taken from him in Mexico where 58.576sec in the afternoon As well as the collision in the he was penalised retrospectively session. main race, he had a dramatic for ignoring yellow flags before It was the second time he smash in the first practice collecting a puncture in the race, had broken the lap record -- session which saw him thrown falling to the back of the field and where many team members ensure he is champion again eighth, but without threatening previously held by Dani Pedrosa over his handlebars, although then finishing sixth. chose to wear woolly hats for while teammate Valtteri Bottas the top positions. -- in the space of a day, after he escaped serious injury. Five-time champion Lewis extra warmth and drivers’ can only stop him claiming a This left Pierre Gasly in smashing it in the morning “Phillip Island was really Hamilton, who is poised to clinch grumbled about the surface of sixth crown by winning the race fourth for Toro Rosso ahead of session.Petronas Yamaha tough, honestly the weekend did his sixth drivers’ title, spent most the circuit. and hoping his team-mate fails Renault’s Daniel Ricciardo, teammate Franco Morbidelli of not go like we expected, two of the session working on his “These bumps are insane out to score the points. Romain Grosjean of Haas, Italy was second fastest, 0.534 crashes. Of course we arrived Mercedes’ set-up here,” said champion-elect Hamilton briefly jumped up Charles Leclerc in the second behind the Frenchman. here with not a lot of confi- permutations. Hamilton. to fourth behind Alex Albon, in Ferrari, Hamilton and Lance Ducati’s Andrea Dovizioso, dence,” he said. Many of the drivers were “I don’t know if this track is the second Red Bull, and then Stroll of Racing Point. this year’s runner-up in the Marquez, aiming for his lapping on the 2020 test tyres, safe.” had his lap deleted for running Kevin Magnussen was 10th world standings and the winner second consecutive victory in supplied by Pirelli, on what was Hamilton needs only four wide, like many others, at Turn in the second Haas with Bottas, at Sepang in 2016 and 17, was Malaysia tomorrow and his 12th an unexpectedly chilly morning points, achieved by finishing in 19. In the final seconds, he who did little running, down in third fastest, 0.630 off the pace. of the season, only managed to at the Circuit of the Americas the top eight, on Sunday to clocked another fast lap to take 17th in the second Mercedes. Quartararo said he was clock the sixth fastest lap. SPORT PAGE | 18 PAGE | 19 RugbyRugby World Cup: Djokovic, Dimitrov All Blacks to clash in veteransveter sign-off semi-final with bronze of Paris Masters

Saturday 2 November 2019 Bjarnason’s late strike saves Al Arabi ARMSTRONG VAS as the game grew. They were Mohammed Salah El THE PENINSULA rewarded for their efforts when Neel (centre) scoring Al Bayati received the ball near Al Arabi’s first goal An injury time equaliser from the halfway line, advanced against Al Wakrah. Birkir Bjarnason helped Al Arabi forward and, lacking other to share points with Al Wakrah in options, launched a fantastic left- a 2-2 draw in yesterday’s QNB footed drive from distance that Stars League Round 9 match at flew past Gregory Gomis in goal the Al Arabi Stadium. and into the far corner of the goal. ROUND 9 In the other match, Al Ahli They came close to a second YESETRDAY'S RESULTS picked up full points in a 1-0 win before the half was out when Al Ahli 1-0 Umm Salal over Umm Salal. Abel Mathias Benyettou struck another shot Al Arabi 2-2 Al Wakrah scored the winning goal in the from distance but, this time, it TODAY'S FIXTURES eighth minute. went the wrong side of the post. Al Khor vs Al Gharafa Playing at home, Al Arabi The second half started much Al Khor Stadium at 17:15 came from behind twice to pick a like the first as Al Wakrah did their Al Duhail vs Al Sadd point from the four-gal thriller. best to protect an important lead. Al Duhail Stadium at 19:25 Mohammed Salah El Neel Their defensive discipline finally (68th minute) and Bjarnason came undone when Pierre- half, Umm Salal attacked more in (90+6) were on the scoresheet for Michelle Lasogga’s through ball the second. The Orange Fortress Al Arabi, with Al Wakrah having found its way to El Neel, who out- seemed to be throwing everything scored through Mohammed Waad muscled Ali Karami on the edge into the game in their bid to get Al Bayati in the 40th minute and of the area before sliding the ball their campaign away from the Mohamed Benyettou (90th- past goalkeeper Saoud Al Khater danger zone. minute penalty). to level the scores. Left-back Murad Naji’s one of Of the two sides, it was Al At this point, Al Arabi were many advance movements saw him Arabi who had the best of the very much in the ascendency and take a first-time shot off an Al play. However, they were nearly grabbed the lead when Mawas cross in the 48th minute, unable to break the deadlock. Hamdi Harbaoui turned on the though as six minutes into injury Raul Caneda, crashed to their sixth combined with fellow striker and only to be blocked by Al Ahli cus- They had multiple chances, volley, but could not keep his shot time, former Aston Villa player defeat. captain Yannick Sagbo. They were todian Ivanildo Rodriguez. Murad firstly a cross which evaded down. Bjarnason reacted quickest to After Umm Salal’s Mahmoud ably supported by Victor Vazquez attempted the rebound, but Ivanildo everybody in the penalty area Al Wakrah seemed to have Yousef’s corner to smash home Al Mawas missed a sitter by from the middle. had recovered to collect it. and hit the post, before a Bjar- sealed the points when Hossam an equaliser from close range and sending his shot wide of the side- At the other end, captain Nabil Ten minutes later, Ivanildo nason free-kick was saved, and Kamal upended Ismail Mahmoud earn his side a well-deserved netting, Abel put The Brigadiers El Zhar linked up well with parried Sagbo’s beaming free-kick El Neel’s far-post header did not in the penalty area and Benyettou point. ahead by heading in a cross by Hernan Perez. to safety. trouble the keeper too much. stepped up to fire home the Earlier, in the other match, Abdelrahman Mohammed from Sagbo shot narrowly wide in Al Ahli, with their fourth Al Wakrah started to counter penalty on the stroke of 90 Umm Salal, playing their first the right. the 21st minute after being set up victory, moved to 13 points, while and their presence in the oppo- minutes. match under Tunisian Ahmed Al Mawas impressed with his by Vazquez off a counter-attack. Umm Salal’s woes compounded sition half became more incisive There was still time for drama Labiadh who replaced Spaniard good runs along the left, and he If Al Ahli dominated the first as they stood on five points. Al Sadd, Duhail meet in QSL blockbuster CHINTHANA WASALA Al Duhail, coached by Portu- conference held yesterday, Xavi no doubt that everyone hoped to opponents forfor the title,” Faris said.said. THE PENINSULA guese Rui Faria, can reach the top said he is aware of the threat that see Al Sadd in the final of AFC Al Duhailil were occupyingoccupying the of the standings today if they win, Al Duhail are posing. Champions League, but now our top spot in the QSL standingsstandings Two of the most dominant forces but Xavi-coached defending cham- “We must be ready for this focus is on the League and then the until Friday,y, bbeforeefore AAll RayyRayyanan in Qatar’s domestic football scene, pions will try everything in their tough confrontation because we Club World Cup. It is an important climbed up followingfollowing a 2-0 win Al Sadd and Al Duhail face off in a book to spoil the Portuguese tac- know very well the strengths of Al tournament for the nation as a against Al Sailiya.ailiya. crunch tie in Round 9 of the QNB tician’s hopes and end their Duhail, individually and collec- whole. We want to leave a good Al Rayyanan are on top witwithh Stars League today. unbeaten run. tively. We know they will miss impression with our results,” Xavi 21 points, onene ppointoint cclearlear ooff AAll At the Al Duhail Stadium, the Prior to today’s blockbuster some important players like Asim said. Duhail. However,wever, AlAl SaSadd,dd, wwhoho Xavi traditional rivals will be keen to meeting, the two sides have met Madibo and Luis Martin, but that His counterpart, Faria yes- have playedd two matcmatcheshes llessess Hernandez impress as they look to remain on three times so far this season. does not mean that Al Duhail are a terday emphasised that their only than the rest,st, are posing a huge course for winning the prestigious Al Sadd got the better of Al weak team and they do not depend hope it to secure full points against threat to thehe table totoppers,ppers, Falcon Shield. The Duhail in the season-opening on one player,” Xavi said. Al Sadd. making it a tthree-wayhree-way match will kick Sheikh Jassim Cup final as Xavi “I ask our fans to supportsuppor us and “We are ready to face Al Sadd. battle for thee title.title. off at earned his maiden title as a coach. encourage us because their Everyone is waiting for this clash Al Sadd hhaveave 7.25pm. Then, in the AFC Champions presence at the stadium wwill be a which, we hope, will be a highly- 15 points fromrom League Round of 16, Al Sadd beat big motivation for the players,”playe Xavi enjoyable game. Certainly, it will six matches.hes. Al Duhail 4-2 on aggregate. called upon Al Sadd fans to support be difficult for Al Duhail and Al Their fixturesres However, Al Duhail will be the team during their ‘away’‘away game. Sadd. We are facing very strong against Al lookinglooking forward to repeat their Xavi also said that his menm suf- opponents who have a large Arabi (Weekek performance of last season’s Amir fered a heartbreaking semi-finalsem number of players of the Qatar 5) and AlAl Cup final, where they prevailed exit from the Asian ChampionsCha senior national team. Khor (Weekek over Al Sadd. League, after being knockedknocke out by “There is no doubt that Al 7) werere During a Al Hilal on an aggregate, despite Duhail are a special team with out- deferred dueue pre-match winning a thrilling secondseco leg standing players. Our target is to to Thee press match in Riyadh, have movedmo on get three points. Wolves’ AFCC and they have shifted theirthe focus “Al Duhail are playing every Champions towards upcupcoming match with one target - victory. League encounters. This game assumes greater sig- commit- “There“ThTh is nificance as Al Sadd are our direct ments.

Al Duhail’s players taking part in a training session on the eve of today’s QNB Stars League Round 9 match against Al Sadd Al Duhail’s which will be coach Rui played at the Al Al Sadd players train under the Faria Duhail Stadium. supervision of coach Xavi.