Al Kharaitiyat Face Ambitious Al Sadd

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Penalty costs Neymar and Alaphilippe yellow two others at jersey as Van PSG test positive Aert wins stage for COVID-19

THURSDAY 3 SEPTEMBER 2020

Teams begin hunt for Falcon Shield as new QNB Stars League season kicks off Al Kharaitiyat face ambitious Al Sadd THE PENINSULA – DOHA Education City Stadium to host its first match Newly promoted Al Kharaitiyat will face tough opponents Al Sadd in their THE PENINSULA – DOHA the stadium’s capacity will be reduced give fans and players a taste of what to opening match of the QNB Stars WEEK 1 FIXTURES by half, with 20,000 seats used as part look forward to in 2022 and beyond.” League (QSL) as action of the new Following a digital launch announcing of legacy programmes that will support Nasser Al Khater, CEO of the FIFA season kicks off today. Today the completion of Education City the creation of sports facilities in devel- World Cup Qatar 2022, added, “The The Week 1 matches will be Al Kharaitiyat vs Al Sadd Stadium in June this year, specially oping countries around the world. digital launch of Education City played today and tomorrow, with (18:15, Education City Stadium) programmed as a tribute to frontline Education City Stadium was the Stadium in June, marking the readiness three games on each day. Al Sailiya vs Al Rayyan healthcare workers during the first tournament venue to achieve a of the third FIFA World Cup venue after The newly-constructed Education (18:15, Al Gharafa Stadium) COVID-19 pandemic, the venue will five-star design and build rating from Al Janoub and Khalifa International City Stadium, Al Gharafa Stadium and Al Gharafa vs Qatar SC now host its first official match. the Global Sustainability Assessment Stadiums, was a major tournament Al Ahli Stadium will be the venues. (20:30, Al Gharafa Stadium) The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 System (GSAS), and as with all Qatar milestone which was delivered under There will be simultaneous kick-offs stadium will welcome QNB Stars 2022 stadiums, advanced cooling tech- exceptionally challenging circum- on both days. Tomorrow League (QSL) sides Al Sadd SC and Al nologies ensure comfortable temper- stances, and set the standard for the Al Kharaitiyat run into strong con- Al Duhail vs Umm Salal Kharaitiyat SC for the 2020/2021 atures year-round for players and fans. innovative nature of Qatar 2022." tenders Al Sadd, who finished third (18:15, Education City Stadium) season opener today at 18:15. Commenting on the significance of QSL CEO Hani Taleb Ballan said, in the recently-concluded 2019-20 Al Ahli vs Al Wakrah Dubbed the ‘Diamond in the the return to football in light of the “It’s a privilege for the QSL to have its season and the team's coach, Yousef (18:15, Al Ahli Stadium) Desert’, Education City Stadium has a global pandemic, Hassan Al Thawadi, season opener be the first match to be Adam, said his aim is to get stabilised Al Khor vs Al Arabi capacity of 40,000 and is set to host Secretary-General of the Supreme played at Education City Stadium, par- first and gradually develop in the fol- (20:30, Al Ahli Stadium) matches up to and including the Committee for Delivery & Legacy, said, ticularly as we are safely and gradually lowing seasons. quarter-finals stage during the FIFA “Seeing the gradual, safe return of fans welcoming fans back into stadiums “Our ambition in the new season World Cup 2022. The stadium is located to stadiums around the world is a true across Qatar.” is to get stabilised first and gradually against Al Kharaitiyat, who are in the heart of Qatar Foundation for testament to our resilience as societies, With the launch of the new QSL develop in the following seasons. We returning to the league this season. Education, Science and Community and to the great work that was carried season, fans will be allowed to attend seek to satisfy everyone in terms of They are a good team with distin- Development, and surrounded by out by frontline healthcare workers in matches in accordance with the safety level and positive results,” Adam said guished professional players and a leading universities, educational insti- Qatar and beyond. We are really regulations outlined in Phase 4 of the during a pre-match press conference good coach in Yousef Adam," Xavi tutions and recreational facilities. excited to mark the return to football controlled phased lifting of COVID-19 yesterday. said. Once the FIFA World Cup is over, in Qatar at our newest stadium, and restrictions in Qatar. About facing the Xavi Hernandez- “We are targeting a good start, coached former champions in their but the league has developed a lot opening game today, Adam said: “This and we look at Al Kharaitiyat’s match will not be easy because Al matches in the same way we look at Sadd are a big team having distin- those of Al Duhail. Our goal is three guished players at the foreign and points and we want to win and play local levels, and we respect them just perfectly. Some players came back as we respect all teams we play from their loans and they will help against. We study the Al Sadd team the team. We have new foreigner well and each team has its strengths players who can adapt really well. and weaknesses." In my opinion, we have more options Al Kharaitiyat earned promotion than last season to win this compe- to the top flight by virtue of being the tition," Xavi said. Second Division champions. In the second match of the day, On the other hand, Al Sadd missed Al Sailiya, who finished fifth in the out on back to back QSL titles as Al 2019-20 season, face tough oppo- Duhail clinched the Falcon Shield nents in Al Rayyan, the runners-up after a thrilling two-way battle in the previous tournament. The Lions between the Walid Regragui's side (51 points) ended up just one point and Al Rayyan. adrift of champions Al Duhail. Coach Xavi said he and his team Al Gharafa will be on a high, are excited to be in the new season having just finished in the fourth and looking for a perfect start. position and earned a berth in the “We are excited to be in the new Qatar Cup, when they face Qatar SC, season and are ready to compete. who were placed eighth in the third We want to start perfectly and we match on the opening day of the Education City Stadium, the 'Diamond in the Desert’ know that we have a difficult match season. Kvitova, Kerber advance to third round US Open: Pella hits

AFP – NEW YORK out at organisers over

Petra Kvitova advanced to the third round of the US Open COVID-19 protocols yesterday, defeating Kateryna Kozlova of Ukraine 7-6 (7/3), REUTERS – NEW YORK within the tournament’s con- 6-2. trolled environment. Czech sixth seed Kvitova, Argentina’s Guido Pella has Pella said he and Dellien chasing a third Grand Slam slammed the United States were “unfairly quarantined” for crown after wins at Wimbledon Tennis Association (USTA) over 14 days. in 2011 and 2014, needed 1hr Benoit Paire’s positive “... I’m happy for them 40min to claim her place in the COVID-19 test before the US (French players) to be playing last 32. Petra Kvitova of Open, saying the organisers of right now, but I want to know The 30-year-old, who has the Czech Republic the Grand Slam applied health why they (USTA) did that with never been past the quarter- serving the ball to protocols differently in the us, didn’t give us any infor- finals at the US Open, will face Kateryna Kozlova of Frenchman’s case. mation,” Pella told reporters either Belgium’s Kirsten the of the Ukraine Tournament organisers after his first-round defeat by Flipkens or Jessica Pegula in during their Women’s refused to divulge the identity Jeffrey Wolf on Tuesday. the third round on Friday. Singles second of the player but Paire, who was “I’m mad at them because Kvitova was one of several round match of the removed from the draw on of that. Because they changed seeds to advance safely in early 2020 US Open at Sunday, later confirmed on the rules when Benoit tested games Wednesday as the draw the USTA Billie Jean social media that he had tested positive... I just want some once again went largely to King National Tennis positive. answers, because everyone in form. Center, yesterday. French players Adrian Man- my situation would like the Croatia’s Petra Martic, narino, Kristina Mladenovic and same thing. seeded eight, defeated lowly Edouard Roger-Vasselin were A spokesperson for the ranked Kateryna Bondarenko placed under an “enhanced pro- USTA told Reuters on Monday of Ukraine 6-3, 6-4. 30th-seeded Kristina Mlade- champion, booked her place in This year’s women’s draw tocol plan” for players who that the organisers built the Martic, who reached the novic 1-6, 7-6 (7/2), 6-0. the third round with a straight in New York is more open than might have been potentially “enhanced protocol plan” in fourth round at Flushing Another seed to tumble sets win over compatriot Anna- ever following a slew of with- exposed to the virus, allowing consultation with the New York Meadows last year in what early Wednesday was the Czech Lena Friedsam. drawals by top players due to them to continue competing in City Department of Health and remains her best US Open Republic’s Marketa Von- The 17th seed progressed the coronavirus pandemic. the tournament. Mental Hygiene. appearance, will face Russia’s drousova. The out-of-sorts 12th with a 6-3, 7-6 (8/6) victory in World number one Ash- Last month Pella and Several players have spoken Varvara Gracheva in the third seed was beaten 6-1, 6-2 in little 1hr 40min, and will now face leigh Barty, second-ranked Bolivia’s Hugo Dellien were out against the treatment of Pella round. more than an hour by Belarus’ either 13th seed Alison Riske Simona Halep and defending removed from the Western & and Dellien and Canadian Vasek Gracheva, ranked 102nd in Aliaksandra Sasnovich. or Ann Li, who meet in an champion Bianca Andreescu Southern Open after their fitness Pospisil said on Tuesday that it the world, scored a rare upset Germany’s Angelique all-US second round clash later all elected to skip the trainer tested positive for was one of the triggers to launch yesterday, eliminating France’s Kerber, the 2016 US Open Wednesday. tournament. COVID-19 while they were all the PTPA, a new players body. 18 SPORT THURSDAY 3 SEPTEMBER 2020 New Zealand Penalty costs Alaphilippe yellow extend coach Stead's contract jersey as Van Aert wins stage WELLINGTON

REUTERS – PRIVAS Black Caps coach Gary Stead’s contract was extended to the 2023 World Cup Frenchman Julian Alaphilippe lost the yesterday giving the former Test batsman overall lead in the Tour de France to a chance to improve on his teams’ “gut- Briton Adam Yates after being handed wrenching” loss in the 2019 tournament. a 20-second penalty for illegal feeding New Zealand Cricket chief executive at the end of stage five, won by David White said Stead’s reappointment Belgian Wouth van Aert yesterday. followed a successful period for the Black Van Aert was fastest in the sprint Caps which has seen them reach number at the end of the 183km ride from Gap two in the Test rankings and three in that featured no breakaway, an Team Jumbo- one-dayers. almost unprecedented scenario in Visma rider “Winning an away Test series against normal racing conditions in the Wout Van Aert Pakistan and a Test in Sri Lanka was a modern era. of Belgium tremendous effort, as were the home Test Dutchman Cees Bol was second celebrating as series wins against Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Sam Bennett took third place to he wins the ﬁfth England and India,” he said. become the first Irishman to wear the stage of Tour de “We had no hesitation, after going green jersey for the points classifi- France in Privas, through quite a process, in extending his cation since Sean Kelly 31 years ago. yesterday. contract.” Alaphilippe finished safe in the bunch but snatched a bottle about 17km from the line, breaking Tour rules which state that feeding is illegal Sri Lanka’s delayed within 20km of the finish. “We’re checking now but it seems Premier League I took a bottle where I was not sup- posed to,” Alaphilippe said. and somebody called the (sports) mate Roglic won the fourth stage. punishing mountain-top finish, the gets November start Yates leads Slovenian Primoz director to tell him I had to go to the “But everyone was pressing a lot peloton rode at a leisurely pace. Roglic by three seconds in the podium.” Van Aert, the best all-round at the end and it was hectic. I knew it No early breakaway was formed, AFP – COLOMBO standings after Alaphilippe dropped rider this season, had no rival in the was a stage that suited me and just so a first since riders went on strike in to 16th overall. finale after the whole peloton took it happy that I got the opportunity from 1998 to protest against some of their Sri Lanka’s virus-delayed premier league “I don’t think anybody wants to easy all day long. the team to go for it and to finish it off peers being detained for questioning will now be played from mid-November, take (the yellow jersey) like this,” said “It was maybe the most easy stage was sweet,” added the Milan-Sanremo by police amid the Festina affair. the country’s cricket board announced the Briton, who finished fourth overall I’ve ever done in a cycling race champion. In 1995, a Tour stage was turned yesterday The 23-match Lanka Premier in the 2016 Tour. because no breaks, no high pace,” said With a tough sixth stage ahead into a procession one day after Italian League (LPL) will be held from November “I was on the bus, showered, Van Aert, who on Tuesday did all the and crosswinds expected at the end Fabio Casartelli died in a crash during 14 to December 6, with matches in waiting for the last few guys to shower heavy work when Jumbo Visma team of the ride to Privas one day after a the race. Dambulla, Kandy and Hambantota. Five teams named after the Sri Lankan cities of Colombo, Kandy, Galle, Dambulla Arsenal aim and Jaffna, will take part, the board. Neymar and two others at The LPL was due to start on August 28 but postponed after health authorities for October insisted on lengthy quarantine for foreign return of fans players. PSG test positive for virus The board did not say how many for- eigners were expected to take part in the to stadium AFP – PARIS the other squad member to test period, with match postponements revamped event. positive. possible. International cricket came to a halt REUTERS – LONDON Three Paris Saint-Germain players have The three were among several PSG The cases raise questions about why in Sri Lanka on March 13 when the vis- tested positive for coronavirus, the stars who travelled to the Spanish the French league decided to postpone iting England team pulled out on the Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium French club announced yesterday, in a Mediterranean island of Ibiza last PSG’s match in Lens, only for so many second day of a practice match ahead of could once again ring to the setback to their preparations for the week for a holiday in the aftermath of their players to travel abroad on their two-Test series as the coronavirus sound of chanting fans next scheduled start of their Ligue 1 campaign of their Championsmpions LeaLeaguegue cacampaign,mpaign, holidayholiday duriduringng a pandemic spread. month, with the English next week. mixing with ffriendsriends anandd ffamilyamily aafterfter pandemic.pandemic. Since then, South Africa and Bang- Premier League club yesterday French sports daily L’Equipe spending thee previousprevious weeks isolated TheThe post-post- ladesh have cancelled scheduled tours of saying it plans to allow a reported the players in question were in a secure bbubbleubble witwithh teammates in ponementponement Sri Lanka. reduced crowd. Neymar, Angel Di Maria and Leandro Portugal. was grantedgranted Sri Lanka has reported over 3,000 Matches have been played Paredes, but PSG did not reveal any That wass afterafter thethe controversialcontroversial inin ororderder to coronavirus infections and 12 deaths, in empty stadiums since names. decision was taken to postpone a lealeaguegue givegive PSG according to official figures. Premier League's coronavirus “Three Paris Saint-Germain players game away aatt Lens, initiainitiallylly scscheduledheduled playersplayers lockdown was lifted in June. have confirmed positive Sars CoV2 tests for last Saturday,day, in orderorder to givegive tthehe PSG a rest But last week, 2,500 fans were and are subject to the appropriate health squad a breakak aafterfter ttheirheir CChampionshampions afterafter thetheirir allowed into Brighton & Hove protocol,” PSG said in a statement. League ‘Finall EigEight’ht’ exertionsexertions.. EuropeanEuropean run, Malinga pulls out Albion’s Amex Stadium for a “All of the players and coaching staff The matchtch at LLensens hashas beebeenn despitedespite France’s pre-season friendly against will continue to undergo tests in the rescheduled forfor next Thursday,Thursday, Sep-Sep- richestrichest cclublub of virus-hit IPL Chelsea after the government coming days.” tember 10, wwithith PSG ddueue to entertaentertainin havinghaving ononlyly announced pilot events for the The French champions, who last Marseillee threethree daysdays llater.ater. playedplayed five AFP – NEW DELHI return of spectators to sport. month lost the Champions League final Strictt competitivecompetitive “We hope to be able to to Bayern Munich, had already said on French leagueue gamesgames in six Veteran Sri Lanka paceman Lasith welcome supporters back to Monday that two unnamed players had rules stipulatee thatthat months.months. Malinga has pulled out of the Indian Emirates Stadium on a reduced reported back with coronavirus collectivet ive tteameam Premier League “to be with his family”, capacity basis from the Shef- symptoms following a holiday. training sessionsons must his team said yesterday, adding to field United game scheduled L’Equipe reported the players in be cancelledd if a club growing list of players abandoning the for Saturday 3 October,” question were Argentinian duo Di Maria has at least fourour positive Neymar coronavirus-hit Twenty20 tournament. Arsenal said. and Paredes. Now it claims Neymar is tests over an eight-day eight-day Malinga has asked to be let go for per- sonal reasons the Mumbai Indians said, while also announcing he would be replaced by Australian quick James ‘Difficult’ for Messi to stay at Barca, says father Pattinson. The much-delayed IPL has been AFP – BARCELONA a coronavirus test at Barcelona’s moved to the United Arab Emirates training ground on Sunday. because of the spread of the coronavirus Jorge Messi, father and agent of Lionel Yet Barcelona insist their captain in India and is scheduled to start on Sep- Messi, said yesterday he thinks it will will only depart if his €700m ($833m) tember 19. be “difficult” for his son to stay at release clause is activated, a stance that “There is no denying the fact that we Barcelona. has been backed up by La Liga, who will miss Lasith’s cricketing acumen this Messi senior landed in Barcelona say that release clause still applies. season,” Mumbai team owner Akash yesterday ahead of talks with the club’s But Messi and his lawyers argue Ambani said. “However, we fully under- president Josep Maria Bartomeu about he is allowed to go for free this summer stand Lasith’s need to be in Sri Lanka with the striker’s intention to leave this according to another clause in his con- his family during this time.” The 37-year- summer. tract, which they claim was triggered old has been with the Mumbai team -- Messi senior flew in from the Jorge Messi, father and agent of soccer player Lionel Messi, arriving on August 25 when a burofax stating record four-time IPL winners -- since the Argentine city of Rosario, landing at at Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat airport for a meeting with Messi’s intention to leave arrived at inaugural edition in 2008. the private terminal in Barcelona’s El Barcelona President Josep Maria Bartomeu, yesterday. Camp Nou. Other players who have opted out of Prat airport on Wednesday morning. If Messi joins another club but loses the tournament include England’s Jason Asked by reporters about the pos- in court, he could be liable to pay the Roy, of the Delhi Capitals, and Suresh sibility of Messi staying, Jorge Messi “There’s nothing yet.” It was suggested expensive and bitter legal battle if a €700m Barcelona are owed. Raina, who quit the Chennai Super Kings said: “Difficult”. He was then asked he had spoken already to City coach resolution cannot be found. Abu Dhabi-owned Manchester City after two players tested positive for coro- how he sees his son’s future at Barca, Pep Guardiola. “I didn’t talk to Pep,” The 33-year-old striker boycotted are the firm favourites to sign Messi, navirus despite teams being kept in strict to which he replied: “Difficult, Jorge Messi said. “Not to anyone.” Jorge Barcelona’s first pre-season training not least because of his previous “bio-bubbles”. difficult”. Messi will be hoping to unblock the session on Monday, as he tries to force success with City coach Pep Guardiola. Eleven other support staff and offi- When the prospect of joining Man- stand-off between Barca and his son, his way out of the club he joined as a Inter Milan, Juventus and Paris Saint- cials from the Chennai team also tested chester City was put to him, he said: which threatens to descend into an 13-year-old. Messi also failed to attend Germain are also interested. positive for Covid-19 antibodies.

Utah Jazz guard Mike Conley (centre) passes the ball during game seven of the ﬁrst round of the Nuggets edge Jazz in thriller 2020 NBA Play-offs against Denver Nuggets at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, on Tuesday.

AP – LAKE BUENA VISTA The Nuggets stole it from him and raced down for a fast break, but Torrey Craig Nikola Jokic made the tiebreaking basket missed the layup. Utah rebounded and with 27 seconds left and the Denver Nuggets pushed the ball up the floor to Conley, advanced to the second round of the whose jumper looked good all the way until playoffs by the slimmest of margins, beating it fell out. the Utah Jazz 80-78 in Game 7 on Tuesday Jokic had 30 points and 14 rebounds and night when Mike Conley’s 3-pointer spun Jamal Murray scored 17 points. No. 3 seed out at the buzzer. Denver advanced to face the second-seeded The Nuggets became the 12th team in Los Angeles Clippers in the Western Con- NBA history to overcome a 3-1 deficit to win ference semifinals. a series, but only after they blew a 19-point Donovan Mitchell scored 22 points and lead in this game. Rudy Gobert finished with 19 points and 18 After Jokic’s basket, the Jazz got the ball rebounds after a huge second half for the to Donovan Mitchell following a timeout. Jazz. 20 HOME THURSDAY 3 SEPTEMBER 2020