THURSDAY 14 NOVEMBER 2019 SPORT 07 It’s an honour for us to be in the same category as Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Tiger Woods Palmer. Those are two legends of the game. after confirming he will CRICKET CRICKET For us to have this type of elevation, all play in next year’s Genesis India vs Bangladesh Afghanistan vs the things we want to have happen for the Invitational tournament in 1st Test (World test West Indies

tournament are going to happen. Los Angeles. ACTION Championship) in Indore 1st T20 in Lucknow, India TODAY’S Thiem stuns Djokovic to clinch semis berth

AFP Austria’s Dominic Thiem LONDON serving against Serbia’s Novak Incredible Nadal Djokovic during their men’s Dominic Thiem produced a scin- singles round-robin match on fights back to beat tillating display of attacking day three of the ATP World tennis to beat Novak Djokovic Tour Finals at the O2 Arena in Medvedev from and qualify for the last four at London, on Tuesday. the ATP Finals on Tuesday, leaving the Serbian facing a brink of defeat shootout against Roger Federer. In the standout match so far REUTERS at London’s O2 Arena, the Aus- LONDON trian fifth seed took the fight to the world number two, recov- Rafael Nadal (pictured) produced an incredible ering from losing the first set to fightback to beat Russian Daniil Medvedev and triumph 6-7 (5/7), 6-3, 7-6 (7/5). keep his ATP Finals hopes alive yesterday, Earlier, Federer put himself saving a match point at 1-5 down in the decider back in the mix at the end-of- before winning 6-7(3), 6-3, 7-6(4). season event with a 7-6 (7/2), 6-3 The 33-year-old looked beaten as 23-year- win against Italian debutant old debutant Medvedev broke serve twice in Matteo Berrettini in their round- the decider to stand on the brink of a first career robin clash. victory over the Spaniard he pushed to five sets Federer and Djokovic will in an epic US Open final in September. face off today in a repeat of this For once world number one Nadal’s year’s Wimbledon final to trademark fighting spirit seemed to have determine who else will progress deserted him but he saved a match point at 1-5 from Group Bjorn Borg. with a superb drop shot and was suddenly Thiem was forced to play re-energised. high-stakes tennis against the Twice Medvedev served for the match, at 16-time Grand Slam winner, 5-2 and 5-4, but he tightened up and Nadal, taking the breath away with roared on by the 02 Arena crowd, needed no some of his inside-out forehands opponent at the first opportunity his opening round-robin match second invitation to take advantage. and single-handed backhands in the second set and, with Djok- to Thiem. Nadal edged ahead when he held serve at Forced to play at his limit, he ovic’s error count climbing, went The six-time champion was Probably my best 5-5 and when Medvedev trailed 0-30 in the hit 50 winners compared with on to level the match. not at his fluent best on Tuesday next game it appeared the Russian was now a Djokovic’s tally of 27 but also Thiem also drew first blood but ultimately had too much for ever, says Thiem spent force. racked up 44 unforced errors. in the decider but cracked in the his Italian opponent. Medvedev regained his composure in the “This was really one of these sixth game as Djokovic levelled The Swiss upped his game REUTERS nick of time to hold serve with an ace and take special matches, what I’ve prac- the match and appeared to have to take the first set tie-break LONDON the match into a deciding set tiebreak and tised all my life for, all my engineered a switch in comfortably and broke imme- looked dangerous again.again. childhood for,” Thiem said. momentum. diately at the start of the second Austria’s Dominic Thiem described his stunning victory YetYet hehe missedmissed a fforehandorehand “Really epic one in an The Austrian successfully set to leave the big-serving Ber- over Novak Djokovic at the ATP Finals on Tuesday as with the court gapinggaping after amazing atmosphere, beating a challenged at 30-30 in the 10th rettini with too much to do. probably the best match he has ever played. a llongong rarallylly at 4-5 to ggiveive legend of our game. And also I’ve game after his forehand was Federer was asked after his The 26-year-old world number five blazed 50 NadalNadal two matchmatch points. qualified for the semi-finals, ruled out, preventing a match win against Berrettini whether winners, many of them jaw-dropping backhands, to MedvedevMedvedev tthoughthought hhee which is the best. point for Djokovic and he his defeat to Djokovic at Wim- beat the five-time champion 6-7(5) 6-3 7-6(5) in front had savesavedd the ffirstirst one “Coming back from 1-4 toughed it out to level at 5-5. bledon had left emotional or of a spellbound O2 arena crowd. with a bbackhandackhand (down in the deciding tie-break) He then broke Djokovic to mental scars. He battled back from 4-1 down in the final set tie- winnerwinner but iitt waswas was a little bit of luck, but it was love to earn a chance to serve Djokovic is hunting a sixth break to claim a fourth win in five against the 16-time calledcalled out anandd hhisis an unbelievable match and one for the match but stumbled and ATP Finals title to pull level with Grand Slam champion and has already booked his HawkeyeHawkeye cchallengehallenge I’ll never forget. Novak is the best the decider went to a tie-break. Federer’s record and is also semi-final spot. sshowedhowed the ball had player in the world and I had to Still the drama was not finished. seeking to pip Rafael Nadal to “Probably the best match I ever played,” he said. missemissedd thethe lineline by a do something special.” Thiem slipped to 4-1 down but the year-end number one “It was a real classic and epic match which will happen fraction.fraction. In a captivating first set the battled back to win it on his ranking. from time to time at these big tournaments. players swapped a break apiece second match point when On Monday, top seed Nadal “It had everything that a match like this needs. He but Djokovic, a five-time ATP Djokovic dumped a forehand lost his opener in Group Andre was up; I was up. He was playing amazing points; I was Finals champion, edged the into the net. Agassi to defending champion playing amazing points. It’s only about luck, and it was tie-break. Third seed Federer had put Alexander Zverev while Stefanos a little bit more on my side today in the third-set Undaunted, Thiem broke his himself under the cosh by losing Tsitsipas beat Daniil Medvedev. tiebreak.” Three-way battle to be best of the rest heats up in Brazil

REUTERS constructors’ standings that get it (third),” added the LONDON determine prize money payouts. 22-year-old.        Ferrari’s Leclerc is third in the Interlagos is an old-style circuit,    N  )  The battle to be best of the resrestt drivers’ standings but facing a likely with an exuberant local crowd likely     behindbehind the MMercedesercedes driversdrivers 10 place grid penalty at Interlagos to be giving Hamilton plenty of love,    heatsheats up in BrazilBrazil tthishis as he seeks to defend a 14 point lead and Vettel is a three times winner weekendweekend wiwithth ChaCharlesrles over Red Bull’s Verstappen, who is there.       Leclerc,Lecl erc, MaMaxx in turn five clear of Ferrari’s Vettel. “I think overall it’s been a good    VerstappenVerstappen andand “I think it’s still going to be hunting ground for us and hopefully      ! SebastianSebastian VettelVettel hard,” said Verstappen when asked it will be like that again this #"    chasingchasing FormulaFormula about closing the gap. weekend,” said Germany’s four  One’sOne’s bronzebronze “We need a bit of luck as well times world champion.  "   medalmedal position.position. for that, but I will give everything. Hamilton and team mate Valtteri !"        Even ifif MerceMercedesdes Of course we had some really Bottas will be looking to carry    have clinched both titles,titles, wwithith unlucky results but... they (Ferrari) momentum on to Abu Dhabi and  Lewis HamiltonHamilton securing hishis sixthsixth should have been miles ahead of us into the winter break, with the Briton "%      inin TexasTexas,, ttherehere remain somsomee over the whole year. on 83 career wins and eager to close    &'  braggingbragging rightsrights to be had as ththee “It’s been a good season in the gap on Michael Schumacher’s 21-race21-race seasonseason headsheads intintoo thethe that way, that we’re actually still all-time record of 91.      penultimatete round. inn there. I’llIll defi-defi nitely try to “WeWe have two races to go in the  ThereThere are aalsolso millionsmillions ofof 2019 season andand we wantwant to end       dollarsdollars at ststaketake foforr mimid-tabled-table teateamsms thisthis season on a hhigh,”igh,” saidsai team  jostlingjostling fforor position in ththee principalprincipal Toto Wolff, wwho will   notnot bbee in BraziBrazill -- tthe first  racerace hhee hhasas missedm             sincesince 2013.201       FerrariFerr and      RedRed BullBu are   !"#$%&' alsoalso lookinglo (  '   ahead,ahead their secondsecond and car to give us new ideas for next “The point we scored in America thirdthird positionspo year,” said Verstappen, winner of helped move us up to sixth place in securesecure in theth con- two races this year. “Not necessarily the championship and mathemati- structors’s truct 2020 parts already, but definitely cally we can still aim for fifth,” said standings.standing directions.” Racing Point team boss Otmar “In“In the Further down the pecking order, Szafnauer. comingc o m the fiercest battle is between “There’s lots at stake and lots to racesrac we Renault, Racing Point and Toro fight for, so we need to maximise the areare still Rosso. Renault are fifth and 18 points opportunities this weekend.” goinggoi to clear of Racing Point, who are only Eighth-placed Alfa Romeo are trytry things one point ahead of seventh-placed just seven clear of ninth-placed Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc and Sebastian Vettel on the Toro Rosso. Haas. 08 SPORT THURSDAY 14 NOVEMBER 2019

Patrick Reed of USA competes during the NBA: Lakers down Suns last day of the Turkish Airlines Open 2019 in Serik district of Antalya on as Sixers edge Cavaliers Sunday. REUTERS LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers passes the ball during the first PHOENIX half of their NBA game against the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday. Kyle Kuzma had 23 points off the bench and hit a pair of key 3-pointers down the stretch, and the Los Angeles Lakers pulled away from the host Phoenix Suns for a 123-115 victory on Tuesday. Anthony Davis had 24 points and 12 rebounds for Los Angeles, and LeBron James added 19 points and 11 assists. James made a 3-pointer and Kuzma sank two treys in a row in a 90-second stretch as the Lakers closed on a 12-2 run to win for the eighth time in nine games. The Suns, who have lost two of three, did not have a field goal in the final 3:28. 76ers 98, Cavaliers 97 Joel Embiid had 27 points and 16 rebounds for his fifth double-double of the season to Reed won’t dial lead host Philadelphia. Embiid’s dunk with 13.2 seconds left turned out to be the down the passion winning basket in a game that Gilgeous-Alexander added 11 for James makes a 3-pointer and Gobert contributed 18 points Cleveland led by five with five Oklahoma City, which shot and Kuzma sinks two and 15 rebounds for the Jazz. minutes left. The late hoop, fol- 1-for-18 from 3-point range over treys in a row in a Utah guard Mike Conley also had at Presidents Cup lowing an empty possession the first three quarters. The 90-second stretch as the 18 points. from each team, put Philadelphia Thunder finished 6 of 25 from Hawks 125, Nuggets 121 up by one. beyond the arc en route to losing Lakers close on a 12-2 Trae Young scored a season- REUTERS “That’s something Tiger On Cleveland’s final pos- their second straight and run to win for the eighth high 42 points and had 11 assists, MELBOURNE doesn’t want from any of our session, Kevin Love missed a dropping three of their last four time in nine games. Jabari Parker had 20 points and guys. He wants us to go out 3-point attempt. The ball games. nine rebounds, and visiting Patrick Reed’s fiery, compet- there, feel relaxed, go out and bounced around with players Heat 117, Pistons 108 Atlanta beat Denver. The Hawks’ itive spirit has ruffled do what we do and play golf.” diving all over the floor for the Jimmy Butler had a season- college coach, North Carolina’s Alex Len scored 17 and Kevin feathers in the past but the His pairing with Woods rebound, and the clock even- high 13 assists to go with 20 Roy Williams, who visited Huerter had 11 points before golfer nicknamed ‘Captain at the Ryder Cup was a major tually ran out. Love and Jordan points as short-handed Miami Chicago to see his former point leaving with a left shoulder America’ says he has no plans misfire and prompted Reed Clarkson each scored 20 points defeated road-weary Detroit. guard in action. injury early in the second half. to dial down the intensity to complain that he had for the Cavaliers. Heat centre Bam Adebayo A sellout crowd gave White Will Barton had 21 points, when he tees off for the wanted to be paired with Pacers 111, Thunder 85 also had a double-double -- 18 a standing ovation as he left with Nikola Jokic scored 20, Paul United States at next month’s Jordan Spieth but that Spieth TJ Warren scored 23 points points and a season-high 14 1:31 to play. He finished with 27 Millsap had 19 and Jamal Murray Presidents Cup. had nixed the idea. and Indiana used a dominant rebounds. Heat guard Kendrick points and made 7 of 11 attempts finished with 18 for Denver. The last time Reed wore Playing at Royal Mel- third quarter to cruise a victory Nunn also played well with 20 from beyond the arc. Zach Monte Morris added 14 off the American colours it ended in bourne as one of Woods’s over Oklahoma City in Indiana- points as Miami used a 17-0 LaVine added 25 points for bench. acrimony at the 2018 Ryder four captain’s picks, Reed polis, the Pacers’ seventh win in second-quarter run to improve Chicago. Marcus Morris paced Kings 107, Trail Blazers 99 Cup, where he lost both his was reluctant to say who he eight games. to 4-0 at home this season. with 22 points and Bogdan Bogdanovic matches playing with Tiger would like to pair up with Malcolm Brogdon added 20 Bulls 120, Knicks 102 nine rebounds. recorded season highs of 25 Woods as the United States until seeing how the famed points and former Thunder Rookie Coby White set a Jazz 119, Nets 114 points, 10 assists and four steals suffered a 17.5-10.5 thrashing sandbelt course was set up. forward Domantas Sabonis Chicago franchise record with Rudy Gobert converted the to lead Sacramento over visiting by Europe in Paris. “Honestly, it would be notched his fifth straight double- seven 3-pointers in a quarter, tiebreaking dunk with 55.6 Portland. His disappointment unfair for me to say whether double with 18 points and 16 and the Bulls pulled away for the seconds remaining as Utah Buddy Hield added 20 points spilled over into a now I want to -- that I should play rebounds for the Pacers, who win over visiting New York. overcame a 15-point deficit and and Nemanja Bjelica contributed infamous interview with the with Tiger or play with this outscored Oklahoma City 34-20 White made his first six pulled out a victory over season bests of 19 points and 12 New York Times in which he guy or that guy because we in the third quarter. 3-pointers during a 22-0 run by Brooklyn to improve to 6-0 in rebounds as the Kings won for castigated the American team haven’t seen the golf course,” Danilo Gallinari scored 14 the Bulls in the fourth quarter. Salt Lake City. Donovan Mitchell the fourth time in the past five for having ego problems and he said. points and Shai He made history in front of his led all scorers with 30 points, games. criticised captain Jim Furyk’s “I would go to battle with selections. any one of the guys on the Reed said he had long team and feel confident that since smoothed things over we could go and do our job, NFL invites teams to Kaepernick workout with team mates and that US but at the end of the day, it all captain Woods expected him comes down to who we feel AFP employment, a case that was workout in Atlanta on to be his natural, passionate like the best match-up is for LOS ANGELES settled in February. Saturday. self against the International each golf course.” He has continued to train in The network reported that team at Royal Melbourne. The former Masters NFL teams were on Tuesday I’m just getting the hope of being able to retain several clubs had already “Tiger has always just champion carries a folded invited to attend a private his readiness to play and the inquired about whether told me and told all of our American flag with him workout by Colin Kaepernick, word from my NFL-arranged workout, first Kaepernick was ready to play. guys, ‘be who you are, go out whenever he plays a round the former San Francisco quar- representatives that reported by ESPN, was con- “Earlier this year, we dis- and play golf, and at the end and said he could not wait to terback who ignited controversy the NFL league office firmed by Kaepernick on Twitter. cussed some possible steps with of the day, go out and do your wear the red, white and blue by kneeling during the US “I’m just getting word from his representatives and they job,’” the 29-year-old told again. national anthem to protest reached out to them my representatives that the NFL recently emphasized his level of reporters on a conference “My job is easy. I get to go against racial injustice. about a workout in league office reached out to them preparation and that he is ready call yesterday. play golf rather than our vet- Kaepernick’s protests trig- Atlanta on Saturday: about a workout in Atlanta on to work out for clubs and be “It’s something that I’ve erans out there and our mil- gered a political firestorm in Colin Kaepernick Saturday,” Kaepernick wrote. interviewed by them,” ESPN always done. I mean, if I go itary (who are) out there 2017 -- after the quarterback had “I’ve been in shape and ready quoted the memo as saying. out there and I try to be keeping us safe,” he said. left the league -- when US Pres- for this for 3 years, can’t wait to “We have therefore arranged someone else or do some- “Any time I can help rep- ident Donald Trump criticised season and has been repeatedly see the head coaches and GMs this opportunity for him to work thing differently on the golf resent our country, try to players who knelt during the US ignored by teams in the years on Saturday.” out, and for all clubs to have the course, now all of a sudden bring some joy to our anthem, calling for their sacking. since. ESPN reported on Tuesday opportunity to evaluate his I’m playing away from my country, means a lot to me,” He has not played since In 2017 he filed a grievance that teams had been sent a current readiness and level of strengths and my golf game. he added. opting out of his 49ers contract against the NFL alleging he was memo inviting them to watch interest in resuming his NFL at the end of the 2016-2017 being unfairly denied and interview Kaepernick at a career.” NHL: Hoffman fires winner as Panthers stun Bruins

REUTERS Jonathan Huberdeau had injury to starting goalie Pavel as host New York survived BOSTON three assists for Florida, and Francouz, squandering a two-goal lead and Yandle added two helpers. Canadiens 3, Blue Jackets 2 edged Pittsburgh. Mike Hoffman scored the game- Avalanche 4, Jets 0 Jonathan Drouin scored the The Rangers improved to winning goal in the shootout as Nathan MacKinnon scored only goal in the shootout as Mon- 6-2-1 in their past nine games the Florida Panthers rallied from two goals and had two assists, treal defeated visiting Columbus. thanks to Kakko’s first career four goals down in the third and Adam Werner made 40 saves Drouin slid in a backhander two-goal game. period to stun the host Boston for a shutout in his first NHL during the top of the second Coyotes 3, Blues 2 (SO) Bruins 5-4 on Tuesday night. game as Colorado shut out host round for the game-deciding Conor Garland scored the Keith Yandle tied the score Winnipeg to extend its winning goal. game-tying goal and the shootout with 1:39 remaining in regulation, streak to three games. Montreal goalie Carey Price winner to lift visiting Arizona past and Aaron Ekblad, Frank Vatrano MacKinnon scored twice in stuffed Cam Atkinson, Gustav St. Louis, ending the Blues’ seven- and Hoffman also scored in the the third period and assisted on Nyquist and Oliver Bjorkstrand game winning streak. third as the Panthers won their goals from Cale Makar and Joonas in the extra session after making Clayton Keller also scored second straight in a shootout. Donskoi. It was the seventh 33 saves in regulation and the and Darcy Kuemper made 33 Sam Montembeault made 15 multi-point game of the season shootout. saves for the Coyotes, who saves between the third period for MacKinnon, who has three Rangers 3, Penguins 2 stacked this victory on top of a and overtime after taking over goals and five assists over his past Rookie Kaapo Kakko scored 4-3 shootout road victory over for an ineffective Sergei three games. twice, including the game- the Washington Capitals on Mike Hoffman (68) scores the winning goal on Tuesday. Bobrovsky. Playing in relief after an early winning goal at 2:24 of overtime, Monday. THURSDAY 14 NOVEMBER 2019 SPORT 09 Ooredoo honours successful Qatari paralympians

THE PENINSULA Kawhaji, Mohammad Kahloot, DOHA Abdulhadi Al Marri, Ikrami Ahmad and Abbad Shamli - who Ooredoo held a special came home with the gold medal, honouring ceremony to as well as team manager Khalid recognise the incredible Al Shuaibi, team coach performance of Qatar’s paral- Abdulqader Khudeim and team ympian athletes at the recent assistant coach Abdulkareem 2019 West Asia Para Games held Mohammad. Hounoured also in Amman, Jordan. was Sarah Masud Hamdi, who In attendance were Sheikh won gold in shotput, and Abdul- Abdulla Bin Mohammed Bin Saud rahman Abdulqader who won Al Thani, Chairman of Ooredoo silver in shotput as well. Group; Sheikh Saud bin Nasser The Goalball tournament was Al Thani, Ooredoo Group Chief one of the highlights of the event, Executive Officer; Waleed with six teams – Qatar, Iraq, Mohamed Al-Sayed, CEO of Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Ooredoo Qatar; and other high the UAE – competing for gold. ranking officials in the company. The special honouring cer- Ooredoo officials and Qatari paralympians pose for a group photo during the special honouring ceremony. More than 600 athletes took emony was held at Ooredoo part in the 2019 West Asia Para Tower, West Bay, with senior Games 2019, from 12 countries. representatives of Ooredoo success at the Games, and Sheikh Sheikh Abdulla, said: “We were their stellar performance at the firmly on the sporting map yet Among the athletes honoured accompanying Sheikh Abdulla. Saud congratulated each athlete delighted to host our distin- 2019 West Asia Para Games. We again, and we look forward to were the Goalball team – The athletes were given on his or her performance. guished Qatari Paralympian ath- are incredibly proud of their many more such successes in the Mohammad Hammam, Waleed special gifts to commemorate their Speaking of the ceremony, letes at Ooredoo Tower after achievements, which put Qatar future.”

Pooran gets Batters give Australia four-match ban for selection headache ball-tampering

REUTERS three Tests during the Ashes, tingent, with pacemen Mitchell REUTERS MELBOURNE failed to cement his place with Starc, Josh Hazlewood, James MUMBAI Pakistan’s Naseem Shah a score of 16. Pattinson and Pat Cummins fit (right) and Babar Azam Australia’s hopes of resolving His top order rival Usman for the first Test starting in West Indies batsman Nicholas their batting problems in time Khawaja poked around for six Brisbane on November 21 and celebrate a wicket yesterday. Pooran has been handed a four- for the Test series against runs from 30 balls before being certain to be included in the Picture courtesy: AAP game ban for ball tampering Pakistan have proved forlorn, caught behind. 12-man squad with spinner during Monday’s third one-day with a slew of candidates failing Opener Joe Burns, renowned Nathan Lyon. international against Afghan- to stake their claim since the for missing out on a place in the Picking which of the quicks istan, the International Cricket Ashes. Asheses squad despdespite te scoscoringingg missessses ooutut atatt the eGabbaw Gabba will be Young Naseem grabs Council said yesterday. Selectors name the Test 180 iinn the ppreviousrevious a totougherugheher call. The 24-year-old Pooran, squad today but will have to rely Testt against SriSri ForF allall hishis brilliancebrilliance who has played 16 ODIs and 14 on their gut rather than hard Lankaka in FebFeb-- dduringuring the 50-over PerthPer limelight with Twenty20 internationals for numbers when picking an ruary,ry, bblewlew World CuCup,p, Starc was West Indies, has admitted the opening partner for David his chanchancece usedused in onlyonly one Test in fieryfier spell on final day offence and accepted the Warner (pictured) and filling a to mamakeke England and could be sanction proposed by the middle order vacancy following ann benchedbenched in favour ooff AAP ahead of today’s Test squad match referee, the governing the drawn series in England. impressionpression PattinsonPattinson,, who is relrel-- PERTHPERTH announcement. body said in a statement The Australia A tour game whenen hhee was iishingshing a rare spespellll ooff Left-arm paceman Shaheen yesterday. against Pakistan was to have bowledwled fforor a fitness after three years Pakistan’sPakistan 16-year-old quick Afridi earlier had Test hopeful “Pooran was charged with offered an unofficial audition but duckk by ImraImrann blightedblighted bbyy injury NaseemNaseem Shah has given Joe Burns caught behind on 11, violating Article 2.14 of the all of the hopefuls fluffed their Khan.n. problems.problems. Australia’sAustralia batsmen plenty to two balls after he was dropped code, which relates to ‘changing lines on Tuesday barring MiddleMiddle oorderrder thinkthink aboutabo with a fiery spell in at first slip. the condition of the ball’ after Cameron Bancroft, who scored hopefuleful Travis thethe ddrawnrawn pink-ball tour match It was another untimely video footage showed him 49 as the hosts were bowled out Head,ad, also againstagainst AustraliaA A. failure for Burns, who was scratching the surface of the for a paltry 122. droppedpped Two daysd after the death of clean-bowled by Imran Khan for ball with his thumbnail,” the Opener Bancroft, who was duringr i ng his mothmother,e Naseem delivered a a golden duck in the first innings ICC said. dropped mid-series in England theh e bruisingbruising displayd of fast bowling as Australia A crumbled to be all “He will now miss the next after a string of failures, was only Ashes,h es, atat PerthPerth Stadium that culmi- out for 122. four T20I games.” picked in the ‘A’ team after Nic did littlelittle nated in thet teenager dismissing Pakistan declared their Pooran will not be available Maddinson pulled out on mental for hhisis MarcusMarcus Harris (20) with a second innings at 3-152 after tea, for West Indies’ three-match health grounds and felt his hopeses ofof fearsomefearsom bouncer that caught having overall handled the con- T20I series against Afghanistan chances of a recall were dim. a rrecallecall thethe left-hander’slef edge. ditions far better than the hosts. and the first game of the sub- “Probably highly unlikely, I withh 13, BBoasting an unusual Iftikhar Ahmed, promoted sequent three-match series would have thought,” the whileh ile techniquetech and impressive to No.4 for the second dig, fin- against India. 26-year-old told reporters. much-hypedch-hyped pace,pa the right-arm quick ished unbeaten on 79 and “I want to issue a sincere Incumbent opener Marcus youngsterungster finishedfin with figures of opener Shan Masood scored 65 apology to my team-mates, Harris, who averaged 9.66 Will PucovskiPucovski 1-211- before Australia A before falling to Travis Head’s supporters and the Afghanistan against Joe Root’s England in wass out fforor captainca Alex Carey and part-time spin. Ashes reserve team for what transpired on the five ffollowingollowing PakistanPak counterpart paceman Michael Neser (2-10) field of play on Monday in Selectors name the Test his twin AzharAzhar Ali shook hands with was the pick of the bowlers, Lucknow,” Pooran said in a squad today but will failuresures halfhalf an hour left yesterday trapping skipper Azhar Ali lbw statement released by Cricket have to rely on their for VicVic-- evening.evening. and having Haris Sohail caught West Indies. gut rather than hard toriaa in AustrAustralia A were 2-91 in at gully. “I recognise that I made an numbers when picking the SShef-hef- theirtheir secondseco innings at the con- Neither captain Azhar nor extreme error in judgement and an opening partner for fieldeld clusionclusion ooff the three-day match, Sohail managed to compile a sig- I fully accept the ICC penalty. I Shield.eld. stillstill 367 runsr shy of Pakistan’s nificant score in either innings but want to assure everyone that David Warner and filling Australia’sAustr a lia ’ s tallytally afterafter a dominant display by Pakistan will take plenty of con- this is an isolated incident and a middle order vacancy selectorsctors havehave a the tourists.touris fidence from Iftikhar and Masood it will not be repeated. I promise following the drawn far easier jobjob UsmUsmana Khawaja survived to having followed up on centuries to learn from this and come series in England. pickingking the bebe 37 notnot out, although it was to Babar Azam and Asad Shafiq back stronger and wiser,” he bowlingwling con-con- likelylikely to beb of little consequence in the first dig. added.

Captain Kohli hails Australia’s Maxwell Virat Kohli during a training session for taking break on mental health issue yesterday. REUTERS done is remarkable,” the and he could not find anyone these things should be of players from both sides with NEW DELHI 31-year-old told reporters in to confide in. great importance. Because if practically no experience of Indore on the eve of India’s “I’ve gone through a you think that a player is the pink ball and the right- Australia all-rounder Glenn opening Test against Bang- phase in my career where I important enough for the hander felt its visibility Maxwell has set an example ladesh that begins today. felt like it was the end of the team or for Indian cricket to and exaggerated by taking a break from the “It has set the right world,” he said. go forward, I think they swing could trouble game to address his mental example for cricketers “In England 2014, I didn’t should be looked after.” “I the batsmen. health issues and there around the world that if know what to do, what to say think is quite acceptable and “You require should not be any negativity you’re not in the best frame to anyone, and how to speak quite a nice thing to do. I extra concen- about such situations, India of mind you try, and try and and how to communicate. think these things should be tration to pick the captain Virat Kohli said try, but as human beings you And to be honest, I couldn’t respected and not taken in a pink ball when yesterday. reach a tipping point at some have said: ‘I’m not feeling negative way at all because you’ve been Maxwell has taken an stage or the other. And you great mentally and I need to this is happening at a human playing with the indefinite break from the need time away from the get away from the game’. level...” red ball.” “I felt it game to deal with an issue game. Not to say you give up, Because you never know how After Indore, the teams swings a lot rarely discussed in the sub- but just to gain more clarity.” that’s taken.” move to Kolkata where they more compared continent’s cricketing circles The Indian captain It should be fine for crick- will play their first day-night to the red ball but Kohli was has a clear pointed to his own struggle eters to take a break and try Test from November 22 with because there’s view on the situation. during the 2014 tour of and return refreshed, he said. pink balls. extra lacquer on the “I think what Glenn has England when runs dried up “I’m absolutely for it... Kohli is one of several ball.” 10 SPORT THURSDAY 14 NOVEMBER 2019 Wenger joins FIFA as global development chief

REUTERS Advisory Panels involved in the Inter- contribute to this objective and will ZURICH national Football Association Board put all my energy into this.” (IFAB) review and decision-making Wenger will also focus on edu- Former Arsenal manager Arsene process on potential changes to the cating coaches and contribute to the Wenger has been appointed as FIFA’s game’s laws. He will also be the chair development of an executive pro- I look forward to taking new chief of global football devel- of a technical study group. gramme that will help former pro- on this important Arsene Wenger opment, with the Frenchman set to “I look forward to taking on this fessionals enter management. poses after oversee the growth of the sport plus important challenge, not only Wenger left Arsenal in May last challenge, not only technical matters, soccer’s world because I have always been inter- year after a reign of 22 years during winning the because I have always Lifetime governing body said on Wednesday. ested in analysing football from a which he redefined the Premier The 70-year-old was recently broader perspective but also because League club and became their most been interested in Achievement linked with the Bayern Munich job FIFA’s mission... is truly global,” successful manager. Award at the analysing football from following the sacking of Niko Kovac Wenger said in the FIFA statement. He led the Gunners to three Laureus World but said that while he was “I believe that the new FIFA we Premier League titles -- including in a broader perspective Sports Awards approached he was never a candidate have seen emerging in recent years 2003-04 when his ‘Invincibles’ team but also because FIFA’s in Monaco in for the job. has the sport itself at the heart of its went unbeaten for an entire season this February mission... is truly global: Wenger will be the leading objectives and is determined to -- as well as seven FA Cups and took 18, 2019, file authority on technical matters on develop the game in its many dif- Arsenal into the Champions League Arsene Wenger photo. FIFA’s Football and Technical ferent components. I know I can for 20 years in a row.

Manchester Liverpool fans’ City’s Silva ‘antipathy could handed 1-game ban over have sparked Mendy tweet

REUTERS Sterling attack’ LONDON

AFP Manchester City’s Portuguese LONDON midfielder Bernardo Silva has been suspended for one match Raheem Sterling’s (pictured below) altercation with England team- and fined £50,000 ($63,980) mate Joe Gomez could have been sparked by a delayed reaction to over a Twitter post concerning the hatred aimed at the striker by Liverpool fans in their Premier French team mate Benjamin League clash last Sunday said Danny Rose. Mendy, the Football Association Sterling -- who has been a target for Liverpool fans since his (FA) said yesterday. leaving for Manchester City in 2015 for £49m ($63m -- has been Silva was criticised by anti- dropped for today’s Euro 2020 qualifier with Montenegro by Gareth racism body Kick It Out after Southgate after physically confronting Liverpool full-back Gomez posting a message on Sept 22 at the England training centre on Monday. In this file photo taken on September 2, 2017 Spain’s forward waves as he celebrates comparing Mendy to a choc- Sterling apologised and said his emotions got the better of him their victory at the end of the World Cup 2018 qualifier football match Spain vs Italy at the Santiago olate-covered peanut character in the wake of the 3-1 defeat at Anfield which left defending cham- Bernabeu stadium in Madrid. Star striker Villa, who holds the record for most international goals used in the logo for Conguitos, pions City nine points adrift of the victors and league leaders. scored for Spain, announced yesterday he was quitting professional football at the end of the season. a confectionary brand popular Tottenham Hotspur star Rose, who is also in the England squad, in Spain and Portugal, before said watching the match on Sunday had alerted him to the visceral deleting it. antipathy to Sterling. “Silva has been suspended “It’s probably the first time I have sat back and actually realised Spain’s record scorer Villa for one first team competitive and took note of how much the Liverpool fans dislike him,” Rose fixture, fined 50,000 pounds told BBC Radio. and must complete face-to-face Rose said he hoped the matter would be soon forgotten. retires after 19-year career education after admitting a “We have moved on,” Rose said. “But I hope it can be put to bed breach of FA Rule E3,” the FA as soon as possible because obviously Joe is -- and I’m not just saying AFP franchise based in the New York After leaving Atletico, Villa said in a statement. this -- one of the nicest people I have come across in football. He TOKYO district of that will play embarked on a successful spell The governing body of won’t want this to fester and Raheem won’t want this to fester.” in the second tier of US football. in for New English soccer added that his Southgate spoke on Tuesday of the squad being like a family Star striker David Villa, Spain’s “Even though I will no longer York City, where he scored 80 social media activity had and Rose reflected this by saying both players made heartfelt apol- top goalscorer, yesterday be on the pitch, I will continue goals in 124 appearances. breached FA Rule E3 (1) as it was ogies in front of the other announced he will retire next to be involved in football in other Villa was ’s “insulting and/or improper and/ players. month, ending a glittering career ways and will continue to con- first-ever signing and his haul or brought the game into dis- Rose said unlike in which he won the World Cup, tribute to the football world,” he included the first goal scored at repute”. It also “constituted an what some from pre- European Championships and said. Yankee Stadium in an opening “Aggravated Breach”... as it vious eras have said it is Champions League. Villa played in three World home victory over the New included reference, whether possible to have friend- The 37-year-old Vissel Kobe Cups and was a member of the England Revolution. expressed or implied, to race ships with players from striker said he will call it a day Spanish side that lifted the At Vissel Kobe, he played and/or colour and/or ethnic other clubs. at the end of the 2019 J-League trophy in 2010 and won the alongside fellow Spanish legend origin”, the FA added. Rose said they were season after a 19-year career European Championships in Andres Iniesta and German Premier League champions “friendships and relation- that took in Barcelona, Atletico 2008, though he missed out on striker Lukas Podolski but the Manchester City, who are fourth ships forged throughout Madrid and Valencia while accu- the 2012 triumph through injury. presence of the ageing foreign with 25 points from 12 games the years”, citing his own mulating 98 caps for his country. He scored 59 times for Spain, a stars has done little to bring and trail leaders Liverpool by relationship with Theo “I have decided to end my national record. success to the ambitious Jap- nine points, next host third- Walcott and Alex Oxlade- professional career and that I His club honours include the anese club. placed Chelsea on Nov 23. Chamberlain, players for- have decided to retire,” Villa told 2010-11 Champions League, the Vissel Kobe are currently Meanwhile Liverpool’s merly at Spurs’ north reporters in Kobe, his voice 2011 UEFA Super Club, 2011 Club languishing 10th in the J-League Egyptian star Mohamed Salah London rivals Arsenal. occasionally breaking with World Cup and two La Liga wins after 31 games -- the same will miss out on ’s 2021 “Obviously I’d like to emotion. in 2010-11 and 2012-13 with position they finished last year. Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers think that everybody “I’ve been thinking about this Barcelona. Villa has scored 12 goals in against Kenya and the Comoros knows if I ever played for a long time. This is the result Villa scored the third goal for 26 appearances for Vissel. He is because of an ankle injury. against them, then my will of discussions I had with my Barcelona at Wembley in the 3-1 expected to play three more The Egyptian Football Asso- to win for my team will family and people around me... win over Manchester United in J-League matches as well as ciation (EFA) said Salah, 27, is not always override any friend- I wanted to retire from football, the 2010-11 Champions League semi-finals and finals of the ready to play Kenya and the ships or relationships, but not be forced to retire from Final. He won a third La Liga Emperor’s Cup. Comoros games, as he is under- when I come here for football,” he said. with Atletico Madrid in his one His retirement ceremony going medical tests. Egypt will England it is all put to one Villa will become an investor season there in 2013-14 after will be on December 7, the day take on Kenya today at home but side,” he said. in Queensboro FC, a new leaving Barcelona. of his last J-League game. visit the Comoros on Monday. 7th Race Meeting: Receding Waves storms to Umm Al Houl Cup win

The representative of Receding Waves posing for a photograph after winning the Umm Al Houl Cup trophy during the 7th Race Meeting at the Al Rayyan Park, yesterday. RIGHT: Jockey Marco Casamento guiding Receding Waves towards the victory in the Umm Al Houl Cup. The Khalifa Bin Sheail KH J Al Kuwari-owned filly, trained by Mohammad Gassim Ghazali,won QR57,000 in prize money. PICTURES: JUHAIM THURSDAY 14 NOVEMBER 2019 SPORT 11 Marwan prevails in clash of El Shorbagy brothers

ARMSTRONG VAS PSA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS: YESTERDAY’S RESULTS THE PENINSULA Top seed Mohammed out of title race in Doha (5) Simon Rösner (GER) bt (ENG) 3-0: 14-12, 11-6, 11-3 (2) (EGY) bt [6] (PER) 3-0: 11-6, 13-11, 11-6 Ninth seed Marwan El Shorbagy (4) (NZL) bt (14) Zahed Salem (EGY) 3-0: 11-8, 11-9, 11-6 stunned elder brother and top (9) Marwan ElShorbagy (EGY) bt (1) Mohamed ElShorbagy (EGY) 11-6, seed Mohammed El Shorbagy to 2-11, 11-6, 3-11, 11-8 emerge on top in the battle of El Shorbagy brothers and make it TODAY’S SEMI-FINAL MATCHES to the semi-finals of the PSA (5) Simon Rösner (GER) vs (2) Tarek Momen (EGY) World Championships. (4) Paul Coll (NZL) vs (9) Marwan ElShorbagy (EGY) Twenty-six year-old Marwan, won the one hour battle He will take on Coll, who on to win the short, sharp rallies for supremacy winning it 11-6, became the first Kiwi since the that started the match off. 2-11, 11-6, 3-11, 11-8. legendary Ross Norman in 1988 “I know that Diego has been He started in a brilliant to reach the semi-finals after into a few semi finals before but fashion winning the first one and the World No.5 overcame maybe the World Champi- the third one while but in the Egypt’s Zahed Salem in straight onship is a little bit different. second and fourth, Mohammed games. He has the experience of bounced back to win in a com- Coll came through a brutal making it to the latter rounds, fortable fashion to tie the score 119-minute epic against 2015 but maybe the good start that I at two-all. runner-up in the had made the difference,” In the decider, Marwan again previous round but showed very Momen said. called the shots to put his expe- few signs of physical comfort as “I am really looking forward rienced brother under pressure he completed an 11-8, 11-9, 11-6 to playing Simon (Rösner) again, to win the fourth time in the 18 victory in 47 minutes. and I am hoping for another win times they have met so far on the “I’m very happy to be in the to make it to another final at the PSA circuit. semi-finals of a World Champs, World Championships. It would “In the second and fourth I it was something that was a be unbelievable for me to make had no answer to his game,” said minimum goal going into the two finals in a row at the Marwan after the match. tournament,” Coll said. Worlds,” he added. Marwan has been working “I’ve got to put that behind Earlier, Rosner reached his with one of Mohamed’s biggest me now, even though I’m very second successive World Cham- rivals - the now retired three- Egypt’s Marwan El Shorbagy (right) in happy to be in the semi-finals, I pionship semi-final after ending time World Champion Nick action against Mohammed El Shorbagy don’t want to stop there. I’ve just the charge of England’s James Matthew - since the summer and got to regroup after this, enjoy Willstrop 14-12, 11-6, 11-3. in yesterday’s PSA World Championship said the 37-year-old, alongside the moment while it lasts and “It’s mentally such a big dif- quarter-final at the Khalifa International coach Haitham Effat, has been watch the match later. ference whether you’re 1-0 up Tennis and Complex in Doha. one of the key reasons for his In the other semi-final, Ger- or down, especially when it’s that superb form in this many’s World No.6 Rösner will long and it goes to the tie-break,” tournament. “You need to be mentally player I have played against. He Zealand and Simon Rosner of take on Momen. Rösner said afterwards. “I have so much experience tough to win matches against has played so many players of dif- Germany complete the last four The Egyptian got the better “I knew if I could win that in my corner here, in Haitham him. He has ten different game ferent generations and the expe- line up in Doha. of World No.7 Diego Elias 11-6, first game, keep the intensity up and Nick and the way they speak plans and he changes his game rience has made him into a top Yesterday at the Khalifa 13-11, 11-6 in 36 minutes. and play fast squash then I would to me between games, it moti- plans all the time, which makes player,” added Marwan, who list International Tennis and Squash The Peruvian was making his be able to push through and vates me and it pushes me,” it so difficult for his opponents,” a world Championship final held Complex, the two-time world first appearance in the quarter that’s exactly what happened. Marwan said afterwards. he added. in Manchester two years back. champion and top seed of the finals of the sport’s premiere “I was able to keep the “It was five games in less “It is always a pleasure to win Marwan joins compatriot tournament went down by three event, and the nerves seem to get intensity up, didn’t drop down than an hour, but I know it was against him, not because he is my World N0.3 Tarek Momen, who games to two to the ninth seed a hold of him in the opening and I’m glad I was able to work really tough mentally for me. brother but he is one of the best along with Paul Coll of New of the championship. exchanges, as Momen was the it out. Wen strikes gold in men’s double trap asas AsianAsian SShootinghoot Championships end

competition,competition, CChinahina ttalliedallied 441818 pointspoints to clinch the ggoldold fofollowedllowwed by KKuwaituwait wwhoho pipickedcked up 389 pointspoints wwhilehile OmanOman hadhad to settleseettle ARMSTRONGAARMSTRONG VVASAS for the bronze. QataQatarr wawass unluckyunluucky THE PPENINSULAENINSUULA toto ffinishinish in thethe fourthfourth place.place. A totaltotal ofof 3838 quotaquota placesplacess forfor BaoluBBaBaololu WWeWenen ofof CChiChinana wonwon a shoshoot-ooot- nextnext yeayear’sr’s OlymOlympicpic GamesGamees in outououtt withwiwit compatriotcomcoommpatrrioti Hao WaWangang TokyoTokyo were ddistributedistributed dduringuuring toto wwininn doubledoububblle traptraap men’smen’s indi-inddi- thethe CChampionshipshampionships andand wentwennt toto vidualvvidududuall ggoldoldldd ata thethhe 14th14th AsianAsiaiaan 15 nations.nations. ShootingShoShooootining ChampionshipsChaCChhaampiom ionships atat thethe TheThe mmostost wentwent to IndiaIndia whowho LosailLLosLosasail ShootingShoohoootingi g Range.Raange. baggedbagged six qquotasuotas wwhilehile JaJapanapan YesterdayYeseststerdrdad y on thet concludingconcludiing and ThaiThailandland tooktook fivefive aaheadheaad of dayddaayay ofo the thee1e 10-day100-daday event,event, bobothoth IranIran withwith fofour.ur. WenWWeen and WangWa finishedfinished withwithh anan TheThe otherother 18 werweree splitsps lit identicalidddeneennticaiical scorescoore of 140140 andandd thetheh tietie betweenbetween a fufurtherrther 11 coucountriesnttries The podium winners in the men’s individual double trap hadhaadd tooob bebe brbbrokenoken thrthroughoughugh a sshoothoot withwith hostshosts QatarQatar pickingpicking up one.one. event at the 14th Asian Shooting Championships pose for out.ouoututt.. TheThe contcontinentalinental chamchampi-mpi- a picture with Ali Mohamed Al Kuwari, President of Qatar HusseinHussH eeini RashidRashidd AlAl ShuhoumiShhuhouhoumi onshiponship was tthehe llastast one forr the Shooting and Archery Association. PICTURES: EBRAHIM KUTTY ofo OmanOmanmam tooktoo thee bronzebronze inn thethe AsianAsian shooteshootersrs to bobookok ttheirheir placeplap ce event.evvveeent. forfor tthehe quadrennialquadrennial eveneventnt in Qatar’sQataQaQataa r’srsr HamadHamad AlmarriAlmarri fin-fif n- Tokyo.Tokyo. four available in air pistol and air (Rahi Sarnobat, Chinki Yadav) women’s 50m rifle three positions ishedisheisheed wwiwiththhha a scorescore ofof 131311 ttoo finfinishishi In a first,first, 15 IndianIndian shootersshoooters rifle, across genders. and men’s and women’s 10m air (Aishwarya Singh Tomar, Sanjeev inin tthehhee nninthintnth plaplaceacce ffollowedollowedwed bby acrossacross mumultipleltiple sshootinghooting didisci-isci- India has quotas in men’s and pistol (Saurabh Chaudhary, Rajput, Tejaswini Sawant). MMaMasoMasoudoudud AlAl AthbaAthhba withiththh ana plinesplines have earnearneded the quotaquotaa for women’s 10m air rifle (Anjum Abhishek Varma, Manu Bhaker, India have won four medals aggregateaggra regegategata esce scorescore of 130130 inin thethhe 10th10th thethe GamesGames,, wwhichhich are scheduledscheduuled Moudgil, Apurvi Chandela, Yashaswini Deswal), men’s skeet in total (one gold, two silver and spot.ssppot. toto bbee held nnextext yyearear frofromm JuJulylly 2244 Divyansh Singh Panwar, Deepak (Angad Vir Singh Bajwa and one bronze) in shooting at the Inn tthehehe men’smen’s doubledoudoouble traprapp teamteate m toto AAugustugust 9. TThesehese 15 includesincludees aallll Kumar), women’s 25m air pistol Mairaj Ahmad), men’s and Olympic Games.

Aspire Beach Volleyball Cup at Al Gharafa Beach Complex

Qatar’s Benlouaer Ziad Ziad returns the ball to Oman’s Nouh Al Jalbubi and Mazin Alhashmi during their Aspire Beach Qatar’s Ahmed Ali Nassir returning the Volleyball Cup Main Draw Pool C match at the Al Gharafa ball to Japan’s Koichi Nishimura and Beach Complex yesterday. Ziad and Saifeddine Aziz Elmajid Daisuke Shibata during their Main Draw lost the match 2-0 (21-10, 21-19). Aspire Beach Volleyball Cup Pool A match yesterday. Nassir and is the first of two events to be staged in Qatar on the 2019- Denis Messelmani lost the match 2-0 2020 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour calendar. (21-13, 21-7). SPORT

PAGE | 07 PAGE | 09 ATP Finals: Thiem Batters give Australia stuns Djokovic selection headache to clinch ahead of Pakistan semis berth Tests series

Thursday 14 November 2019 Qatar ready to welcome all teams: Al Rumaihi

RIZWAN REHMAT THE PENINSULA

Gulf Cup host Qatar says it is ready to ‘welcome’ the eight teams and their fans for the region’s most popular national team event after it was announced that Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain had agreed to feature in the November 26-December 8 tournament. According to Jassim Al Rumaihi, Secretary General of the Arabian Gulf Cup Football Federation (AGCFF), Qatar is pleased to play host to the entire regional football family. Jassim Al Rumaihi, Secretary General of the Arab Gulf Cup Football Federation (AGCFF). RIGHT: AGCFF and Qatar Football Association Almost three weeks ago, ARABIAN GULF CUP President, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani (centre) speaking during a meeting with the AGCFF officials in Doha, yesterday. Doha had conducted a draw for CHAMPIONS a five-team event that did not have confirmation from Saudi 1970 ...... Kuwait Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain. 1972 ...... Kuwait However, the Executive 1974 ...... Kuwait Committee of AGCFF yesterday 1976 ...... Kuwait confirmed that the football bodies in the three countries had 1979 ...... Iraq accepted the invitation to feature 1982 ...... Kuwait in the event. 1984 ...... Iraq “We are honoured, We are 1986 ...... Kuwait very pleased all the teams are 1988 ...... Iraq coming to participate in this 1990 ...... Kuwait tournament. It shows how important this event is for all 1992 ...... Qatar participating countries,” Al 1994 ...... Saudi Arabia Rumaihi said yesterday. 1996 ...... Kuwait “They want to be here, 1998 ...... Kuwait leaving behind whatever 2002 ...... Saudi Arabia political issues. We are playing French Ambassador to Qatar, 2003–04...... Saudi Arabia under one umbrella of AGCFF,” Franck Gellet he added. 2004 ...... Qatar “Fans from all countries are scheduled to be held in Qatar at 2007 ...... UAE welcome. Qatar welcomes you. the end of 2017. However, with 2009 ...... Oman The official mascot for the Qatar has its doors open to all Saudi Arabia, the UAE and 2010 ...... Kuwait visitors,” Al Rumaihi told Bahrain not agreeing to take part 24th Arabian Gulf Cup, ‘Sodeifi’ 2013 ...... UAE reporters. in the event, Qatar voluntarily and the tournament trophy 2014 ...... Qatar “All the (participating) coun- agreed to giving the hosting are seen with fans during a tries are anxious to play here in rights to Kuwait where Oman promotional event. 20172017–18 ...... Oman Qatar. The most important thing emerged as champions after is to play under the umbrella of beating the UAE in the final. AGCFF. It will be a united event. In a statement issued earlier “Sports is a different field yesterday, the AGCFF said it and I hope we can continue like ‘appreciated the response of the this, God Willing,” Al Rumaihi associations of these countries added after attending a press to the invitation extended to conference in the company of them to reunite the friends for a Vice-President of the AGCFF tournament that has always Jassim Al Shukaili. been one of the successful means “(We) officially accepted to strengthen the bonds of broth- Saudi Arabia, the United Arab erhood and love among the Emirates and Bahrain’s partici- peoples of the region’. pation in the 24th Gulf Cup in Organisers yesterday con- Doha at their request,” Al firmed a fresh draw of the Gulf RumaihiRuuamaihi said.sai d. Cup wwillill be coconductedn ducted today.today. FrenchFrench ambassadorambassador to QatQatar,ar, WorldWorld Cup sideside SauSaudidi AraArabia,bia, FranckFranck GelletGellet wewelcomedlcomed tthehe regionalregional ggiantsiants UAE anandd BaBahrainhrain newsnews ooff thethe threethree teams gettinggetting willwill now jjoinoin ddefendingefending cham-cham- rreadyeady to playplay in Qatar.Qatar. pionspions OmOman,an, YemeYemen,n, Iraq, “We“We welcomewelcome tthehe googoodd KuwaitKuwait anandd hhostsosts Qatar . news,news, announannouncedced totodayday bbyy thethe PreviouslyPreviously thethe organisersorganiserrs ArabA GulGulffCuf CuCuppFop FoFootballotball FFeder-eder- announcedannouncedald allallmal mamatchestches werewew re ation,ation, tthathat tthehe nationanationall teams ooff scheduledscheduled to bbee pplayedlayed at tthehe Saudi Arabia,Arabia, the United AraArabb iconiciconic KhalifaKhalifa InternationalInternational EmiratesEmirates and BahrainBahrain willwilllpa par-par- Stadium.Stadium. WhetherWhetherth more venues ticipateticipate in the 24th ededieditiontionon ooff theh areare addedadded to thathattlit lilistst ooff ononee wiwillll ArabArab Gulf Cup in Doha,” GelletGellet be coconfirmednfirmed at thethe draw cer-cerce - Qatari players taking part in told The PeninsulaPeninsulns a yesterday.yyesterday. emonyemony today.today. “Beyond“Beyond theh footfootballball fanfanss QatarQatarhar havehave wwonon tthehe GGulfulfu f CupC a practice session in Doha fromfrom tthehe eighteight competingcompeting coun-coun- threethree titimesmes whilwhilee KuKuwaituwaitw i havhaveave yesterday. tries,tries, tthehe friendsfriends ofof thesethese coun-coun- claimedclaimed the titletitle 1100 timestimes inin ththee triestries includincludinging France aarere eeventvent first plaplayedyed in 1970.1970.0 delighteddelighted to see a ffraternityraternity ononcece Qatar,Qatar, wwhoho wonwon thethe 20192019 againagain sharedshareda throughthrh ough sport. Con-Con- AsianAsian CuCupp in the UAEAE inn FebrFebruaryuaryuar gratulationsgratulationson to tthosehose wwhoho mamadede thisthis year,year, lastlast won thethe eventevent inci-incii- this raprapprochementprocrochemeh nt ppossibleossible and dentallydentally in SauSaudidi ArArabiaabia wherewheree may the best teateamm wiwin,”n,” the the home teateamm lolostst tthehe ffinalinal aat AmbassadorAAmbassadss or added.added. KingKing FaFahdhd InternationalInternational StadStadiumadiuiumm The last GuGGulGulff CupCuC p waswas in Riyadh.Riyadh.

The Khalifa International Stadium.