SATURDAY 21 DECEMBER 2019 SPORT 17 We play too much with a 20-team league (in France). If we want to TODAY’STO ACTION have quality games with top Paris Saint Germanin MatchMa for third place players we should have more coach Thomas Tuchel MonterreyMo vs Al Hilal (17:30) possibilities to change players FinalFin from one game to another. LiverpoolLiv vs Flamengo (20:30) England add Second Test: Five-star Afridi leads cover to squad hit by Pakistan fightback against Sri Lanka illness in AFP KARACHI South

Lanky paceman Shaheen Shah REUTERS Afridi took a maiden five- JOHANNESBURG haul to lead Pakistan’s fightback after Sri Lanka gained a crucial England added two bowlers to lead in the second Test in Karachi their squad yesterdayafter yesterday. illness struck the camp less than The 19-year-old paceman a week before the first Test took 5-77 and was ably supported against hosts South Africa, the by new-ball partner Mohammad England and Wales Abbas (4-55) to keep Sri Lanka Board said. down to 271 on a tricky National Seamer Craig Overton and Stadium pitch. off-spinner Dominic Bess will That gave the visitors a lead join the squad as cover ahead of 80 runs over Pakistan’s first- of the start of the four-Test innings total of 191. series, which begins on Boxing By the close of second day’s Day in Pretoria. play Pakistan had wiped off 57 of Bowlers Jofra Archer, Stuart the deficit for no loss but they still Broad and Jack Leach are trail by 23 runs with all 10 among a host of squad in hand and three days to play. members hit by ‘flu-like’ Opener -- who symptoms sweeping through became the first batsman ever to the England camp. hit a debut hundred in both Test Batsmen Joe Denly and and one-day international in the fielding coach Carl Hopkinson first match in Rawalpindi -- was were also suffering, officials unbeaten on 32 and Shan Masood said. on 21 . Bess, 22, played two Tests The first Test in Rawalpindi against Pakistan in 2018 while ended in a draw due to bad 25-year-old Overton won the weather, leaving both teams to last of four caps in the Ashes in fight it out for the series win in September. The Somerset duo Karachi. are due to arrive in Johan- Pkistan’s Shaheen Shah Afridi (centre) makes a successful caught behind catch appeal against Sri The series is part of the SCOREBOARD nesburg today. Lanka’s Oshada Fernando during their second Test cricket match at the National Cricket Stadium in ongoing World Test champi- The raft of sick players saw Karachi, yesterday. Pakistan 1st innings ...... 191 onship with nine teams com- Sri Lanka 1st innings England request a downgrading peting. The top two teams will O. Fernando c Rizwan b Shaheen ...... 4 of their three-match warm-up play the final in June 2021. have to get the runs they got, so I It were Abbas and Shaheen invaluable 36 for the ninth wicket D. Karunaratne b Abbas ...... 25 game against South Africa A at Sri Lanka fought through just try to play positive and it who rattled the Sri Lankan with Vishwa Fernando to increase K. Mendis c Sohail b Abbas ...... 13 Willowmoore Park in Benoni, Dinesh Chandimal who made 74 helped. . Sri Lanka’s lead before Shaheen A. Mathews c Rizwan b Shaheen ...... 13 which began yesterday with and Dilruwan Perera who made “I think if we get early wickets Abbas had nightwatchman took the last two wickets in three L. Embuldeniya c Shafiq b Abbas ...... 13 England winning the toss and D. Chandimal c Masood b Sohail ...... 74 a fighting 48 batting at number tomorrow and keep them down Lasith Embuldeniya caught in the balls. electing to bat. D. de Silva c Abbas b Shaheen ...... 32 nine. to below 250 then that will be a slip for 13 before left-armer Afridi Shahen’s previous best of N. Dickwella b Abbas ...... 21 The downgrading of the With his team wobbling at winning score.” dismissed Angelo Mathews, also 4-64 came in the Centurion Test D. Perera lbw b Shaheen ...... 48 game offers the chance for the 80-5 in the morning, Chandimal Chandimal was finally dis- for 13. against South Africa earlier this V. Fernando not out ...... 5 sick trio to still get in some built partnerships of 67 with missed by part-time spinner De Silva, who scored a year. L. Kumara b Shaheen ...... 0 bowling practice over the Dhananjaya de Silva (32) for the Haris Sohail, caught at backward century in the first Test, batted Perera hit six boundaries and Extras: (b 4, lb 10, nb 3, w 6) ...... 23 weekend before the start of the sixth wicket, 37 for the seventh point after he mistimed a cut. He with grit to frustrate Pakistan and a six in his 84-ball stay. Total: (all out; 85.5 overs) ...... 271 first Test at Centurion next wicket with Niroshan Dickwella hit 10 boundaries in his 143-ball take Sri Lanka to 170-6 at lunch. The Test series -- part of the Fall of wickets: 1-28 (Oshada), 2-39 (Karu- Thursday. (21) and then another 51 with knock. Shaheen broke the stand by ongoing World Test champi- naratne), 3-61 (Mendis), 4-78 (Embuldeniya), 5-80 It is the last chance for the (Mathews), 6-147 (de Silva), 7-184 (Dickwella), Perera for the eighth. The extended two-and-a-half luring De Silva into hooking onship -- is the first in Pakistan 8-235 (Chandimal), 9-271 (Perera) likes of Archer and Broad, “It was not an easy pitch to hour first session belonged to straight into the hands of deep since a militant attack on the Sri Bowling: Shaheen 26.5-5-77-5 (1nb), Abbas 27-9- expected to start the first test, bat on,” Chandimal said. Pakistan who took three early square-leg fielder Abbas, who Lankan team bus in 2009 sus- 55-4 (1w), Naseem 16-1-71-0 (2nb, 5w), Yasir 13-0- to bowl after they missed a “At one time we were strug- wickets after Sri Lanka resumed held a running catch. pended international cricket in 43-0, Sohail 3-0-11-1 two-day warm-up game that gling at 80-5 and I knew first we at 64-3. Perera also added an the country. ended on Wednesday. Tokyo 2020 Olympics unveil final budget of $12.6bn Global sport doping cases

AFP up 13% in 2017: WADA TOKYO AFP MONTREAL The Tokyo 2020 Olympics are expected to cost some ¥1.35trn Doping cases in international sport rose 13 percent in ($12.6bn), organisers said 2017 against the year before, the annual report of the yeseterday, unveiling a final budget World Anti-Doping Agency said on Thursday. showing increased revenue The Montreal-based agency reported 1,804 Anti- balancing out extra costs including Doping Rule Violations for 2017, a rise from 1,595 in countermeasures against heat. 2016. However, officials admitted the It said the cases in 2017 involved people from 114 budget does not yet include an esti- nationalities, across 93 sports. mated ¥2bn for moving the mar- Italy had the largest number of infractions, at 171, athon and race walk north to followed by France at 128 and the United States with Sapporo, as they wrangle with the 103. International Olympic Committee Brazil had 84 and Russia 82, said the report, issued (IOC) over who bears the cost. on the same day that Russia said it would contest its Revenues from domestic spon- ban from major sporting events over doping sorship and robust ticket sales have The National Stadium, venue for the upcoming Tokyo 2020 violations. increased income by ¥30bn, Olympic Games, is seen during a media tour following the The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) on according to the fourth and final stadium’s completion in Tokyo in this December 15 file photo. December 10 banned Russia from major global events version of the Olympic budget. -- including the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the 2022 This equals out a rise in forecast World Cup in -- for four years. expenditure for items such as explained Gakuji Ito, executive in the other direction, with some bid in 2013 and 2018 at ¥1.06trn, Widespread, state-sponsored doping in Russia, transport and security -- as well as director for planning and finance at sports voicing fears that the cuts nearly 10 times the budget. notably between 2011 and 2015, was revealed in an the heat-busting measures. Tokyo 2020. could harm the athletes’ experience Ito countered that this estimate independent report released three years ago by sports The overall ¥1.35trn budget for “We will go into it line-by-line plus the all-important “look” of the includes items not directly related lawyer Richard McLaren. the Games is unchanged since the and we will interact with the IOC on Games. to games operations. “The definition Russia’s athletics team was barred from the 2016 last version of the budget unveiled a daily basis,” he told reporters. The Tokyo 2020 budget is of Games-related costs is slightly Rio Olympics, London’s 2017 world championships and last year. Organisers have also unveiled a divided between the Organising different to ours,” he said. the 2018 Winter Olympics. There is also a 27-billion-yen series of countermeasures against Committee, the Tokyo Metropolitan Earlier this year, Los Angeles China, India, Belgium, Spain and South Africa com- “contingency” pot to deal with pos- the heat and humidity, including Government and the national gov- 2028 Olympics chiefs unveiled pleted the list of top 10 nations with doping violations sible emergencies such as natural water mist sprays and special heat- ernment, which is on the hook for details of a $6.9bn budget for the for the period covered by WADA’s report. disasters. absorbing paint on roads -- all of ¥150bn - mainly for the cost of the Games, vowing to deliver the spec- Bodybuilding had the most violations, 266, followed Organisers are still negotiating which cost money. new National Stadium. tacle without cost overruns that by athletics which had 242 and cycling, with 218. with the IOC over the cost of moving The IOC, wary that the bal- However, the expenditure at the have dogged recent editions of the Football and rugby were in sixth and eighth place, the marathon to the northern city looning cost of hosting the Games national level has been a source of extravaganza. the report said. of Sapporo due to the expected heat is putting some cities off from controversy with a widely publicised The Paris 2024 budget for the Most of the 2017 violations, 1,459, were detected in the Tokyo summer. bidding, has urged Tokyo to make report from the Board of Audit of Games amounts to €6.8bn ($7.6bn), through “positive” testing results. The remainder came “This is an unprecedented even more cuts. Japan estimating actual national €1.5bn of which will come from the from investigation and intelligence, without detection matter so there are no procedures,” But Tokyo is also being squeezed government spending between the state. of prohibited substances, WADA said. 18 SPORT SATURDAY 21 DECEMBER 2019

Nadal aims Qatar ExxonMobil Open named to carry ATP 250 Tournament of the Year momentum ATP organisation of the event, I want in the ATP Masters 1000 cat- The Abierto Mexicano into 2020 LONDON to express how delighted we are egory for a record-breaking Telcel presentado por HSBC has at being selected once again as sixth time. Held amidst the been selected by players as the AFP ABU DHABI The Qatar ExxonMobil Open, the ATP 250 Tournament of the Our goal has always natural beauty and backdrop of ATP 500 Tournament of the BNP Paribas Open and Abierto Year,” said Alami. been to deliver an event the desert landscape, the Indian Year for a third time. It previ- Mexicano Telcel presentado por “Our goal has always been Wells Garden offers top- ously won the award in 2007 has a shorter than that meets the highest HSBC have been named Tour- to deliver an event that meets notch player facilities and and 2017. The event, held at the usual offseason this year but he organisational standards, naments of the Year in their the highest organisational amenities; plentiful practice Acapulco Princess Mundo believes he can work it to his respective categories in the 2019 standards, while providing while providing players courts that allow fans to watch Imperial, switched to blue hard advantage as he looks to carry ATP Awards. The tournament players and their support teams, and their support teams, players up close; and unparal- courts in 2014 after 20 years on his Davis Cup-winning form awards, voted annually by ATP sponsors, officials, guests and sponsors, officials, guests leled dining options. The BNP clay. The Acapulco tournament into 2020. players, recognise the leading spectators with warm condi- and spectators with warm Paribas Open is the only tour- enjoyed record attendance in The world No.1 led Spain to standards set across events on tions and attention to detail that conditions and attention to nament to feature Hawk-Eye on 2019, welcoming more than the Davis Cup title just over the ATP Tour. make them ‘feel at home’ during detail that make them ‘feel all match courts for both main 55k fans. three weeks ago then went on The Qatar ExxonMobil Open their time in . Winning the at home’ during their time draw and qualifying matches. “On behalf of Mextenis, our a short break before beginning claims the Tournament of the ATP 250 tournament award for in Doha. Winning the ATP “It is truly an honor to be sponsors and the Mexican fans, his preparations for the new Year award in the 250 category the third time confirms we have 250 tournament award for named Tournament of the Year we are incredibly happy and season. for the third time in five years. been successful in consistently the third time confirms we for the sixth year in a row,” proud of this award,” said Yesterday, Nadal picked up Held in the opening week of the meeting those standards. It is a have been successful in Tournament Director Tommy Renata Burillo, Tournament right where he left off as he sur- ATP Tour season, Doha has set great honour that the ATP and consistently meeting those Haas said. “With so many out- Chairman. prised himself by putting high standards since its ATP players continue to show standards: Karim Alami standing events at the Masters “To receive the recognition together a devastating 6-1, 6-3 inception in 1993 and under the their recognition and appreci- 1000 level, we take great pride of the ATP Players fills us with performance against Russian guidance of former player ation for the efforts made by in this achievement, which is energy to continue to work world No.17 Karen Khachanov Karim Alami, the tournament everyone involved. institutions and organisations only made possible by the com- hard to make the Abierto Mex- in an exhibition match in Abu continues to build its reputation “None of this would be pos- and the ATP. We promise to mitment of our entire team here icano Telcel presentado por Dhabi. for its superb facility, world- sible without the endless continue delivering a very in Indian Wells. We are already HSBC an even better tour- “That was a good master- class hospitality and welcoming support from our Title Sponsor, special event and it is our wish hard at work to ensure that the nament. We want to thank all class. Rafa needs to tell me how fans. ExxonMobil, all our valued that all players come and share 2020 event is the best yet, and the players for the trust and much I need to pay him,” “On behalf of the Qatar sponsors, the support of the a wonderful week with us in we look forward to welcoming support we have received over Khachanov joked after the Tennis Federation and all the Qatar Tennis Federation Board Doha year after year.” everyone back to Tennis Par- the years.Acapulco is, and will match. team involved in the of Directors, the State of Qatar The BNP Paribas Open wins adise this March.” always be, your home.” Nadal feels it was a victory that proved he can keep up his momentum from his strong finish to the 2019 season well into the new year. Nadal’s reward is a today showdown with ATP Finals champion , who defeated 3-6, 7-6 (7/4), 6-4 earlier in the day. The 21-year-old Tsitsipas, ranked No.6 in the world, told the press ahead of the action in Abu Dhabi that one his main goals for 2020 is to end the year among the top three, which means he would need to squeeze out one of the current Fans watching the action during an earlier edition of the ExxonMobil Qatar Open in this file photo. ‘Big Three’ of Nadal, Djokovic and . QCCL T20 match set to Weightlifting: Igor, Chanu clinch gold take place on January 31 as Qatar International Cup kicks off CHINTHANA WASALA 49kg category. She lifted a total THE PENINSULA of 194kg. THE PENINSULA The 2018 Commonwealth DOHA Kazakhstan’s World Champi- Games gold-medallist, managed onship silver medallist Igor Son to register only one clean lift in Q-Mission, organisers of the won his country’s first gold both the snatch and clean and Qatar Celebrity Cricket medal at the Qatar International jerk categories. She won the League-T20 match, announced Cup which kicked off in Doha snatch on 83kg and topped the the rescheduling of the block- yesterday. clean and jerk with a 111kg lift buster event due to ongoing At the Radisson Blu Hotel to complete a clean sweep. high-profile sport events in the yesterday, the 21-year-old suc- Frenchwoman Michel Anais country such as the FIFA Club cessfully lifted 278kg (124+154) finished second overall with a World cup and other circum- to win the 61kg category. total weight of 172kg. She lifted stances including the weather Incidentally, Son won the 77kg in snatch, followed by a conditions which were beyond silver medal at the World Cham- 95kg lift in her only successful their control. pionships held in Pattaya in attempt in the clean and jerk. The QCCL match that was September while competing in Turkmenistan’s Yulduz Jam- originally scheduled to take a lower weight class (55kg). abayeva completed the podium place yesterday, will now be Son’s mark in snatch was the after registering a total of 166kg held on Friday – January 31, second best yesterday as Sey- (69kg in snatch and 97kg in 2020 at the Jassim Bin Thani itjan Mirzayev from Turkmen- clean and jerk). Stadium. istan topped the snatch with a In the women’s 55kg weight The FIFA Club World Cup best of 125kg. Mirzayev raised class, Uzbekistan’s Muattar Kazakhstan’s Igor Son in action concludes today. Hence given 145kg in clean and jerk to make Nabieva clinched the gold medal in the men’s 61kg event during the overwhelming response and a total of 270kg which earned with a total lift of 203kg. She the opening day of the Qatar anticipated large turnout for the him the overall silver medal. managed to lift 89kg in her third International Cup at the Radisson event, the decision was made in Ruiu Davide from Italy won attempt in snatch after failing Blu Hotel yesterday. the best interests of the audi- the bronze with a total of 270kg to succeed in two previous PICTURES: EBRAHIM KUTTY ences and the participants. (117+153) attempts. Nabieva won the silver Goodwill ambassadors Earlier, India’s former world in snatch while Ukrain’s Kamila from various awareness soci- champion Saikhom Mirabai Konotop topped snatch in their star topped the table with 114kg she finished second in both Weightlifting Federation, will eties in Qatar and differently– Chanu notched up the all three category with a successful 92kg to win the overall gold. Konotop clean and jerk as well as the see over 150 lifters representing abled people from the Qatar gold medals in the women’s lift. In clean and jerk, the Uzbek lifted 110kg in clean and jerk as overall tally to add two silver 42 countries in action, showing diaspora will participate in the medals to her account. a significant growth from last event to raise awareness of Italian Lucrezia Madistris year’s 117 from 35 nations. people with disabilities. This won all three bronze medals by Top international stars are event is hosted by Q-Mission as lifting 87kg in snatch and 105kg competing in the event in which part of its social responsibility in clean and jerk to make a total Qatar’s Fares Ibrahim Hassouna goals in Qatar. of 192kg. is looking to defend his crown QCCL will continue to host Today, events will be held in the 96kg class. programs year on year with dif- under five weight categories, The silver winner at the ferent themes and supporting namely men’s 73kg, 81kg (A 2019 World Championships in the community. and B) and women’s 59kg and his weight category, Hassouna The T20 match will be offi- 64kg. will be looking to rewrite record ciated by legendary interna- The athletes competing in books in the same manner he tional umpires and will also see the Doha event are seeking all did a year ago. popular commentators. important ranking points as they The two-time Junior World Players for the two teams look to make the cut for next Champion and a silver medallist will be selected by a renowned year’s Olympics. at the 2018 Asian Games, the international coach and will This year’s championship, 21-year-old, will begin his quest play alongside 14 well known hosted by the Qatar Weight- for back-to-back titles in the cricket legends from 11 lifting Federation (QWF) under home event at 3:00pm on The podium winners of the men’s 61kg category posing for a photograph with the officials. countries. the auspices of the International Sunday. SATURDAY 21 DECEMBER 2019 SPORT 19

Qatar to host 2020 CAF Super Cup final

Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani, President of the Qatar Football Association, and Ahmed Ahmed, President of Confederation of African Football shake hands after signing an agreement in Hassan Al Thawadi, Secretary General of the Supreme Committee for & Legacy; Barca great Doha yesterday. Accordingly, Qatar will host the final of 2020 African Super Cup on February 14. Xavi Hernandez, officials and award winners posing for a photograph following a friendly match between football legends and a team of youngsters at the Oxygen Park in Doha, yesterday. The fun event, part of the first edition of Generation Amazing Festival, saw several football legends in the Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin calibre of Brazil great , Yaya Touré, Youri Djorkaeff and in action. BOTTOM LEFT: Cafu in Ahmed Al Thani, President of action. BOTTOM RIGHT: FIFA legends posing for a photograph. the Qatar Football Association presenting a memento to Khair Eddine Zouache, President of the Algerian Football Association during a meeting held in Doha, yesterday where the two associations signed a cooperation agreement. The signing ceremony was attended by Mansour Al Ansari, Secretary-General of the QFA; Ali Dawoud, Executive Director of the Office QFA President; Mushtaq Al Waeli, Executive Director of the Office of Strategic and Institutional Planning and Jamal Belmadi, Algeria coach. Infantino reveals plans for new Club World Cup

AFP champions as well as the champions of “When you see 15-18,000 Flamengo breakaway Super League, but on Friday pay and generate more revenues for the DOHA the host nation, the new event will see fans here, and we will have 30,000 Infantino admitted he wanted to expand big clubs -- the 10 to 12, or 15 to 20 Euro- many of the biggest sides in the world Egyptians here to see (Mohamed) Salah, the number of clubs who could become peans, but also 30 around the world -- Gianni Infantino is determined to make -- including eight from Europe -- that shows the level of interest. major global names. then you have done something good.” his new, expanded Club World Cup “the descend on China for the first edition. “It is going to be a beautiful and very “Todayay we have ave 10 0 to 12 clubs c ubs who w o Infantino also recently best club competition in the world” as The FIFA chief previously claimed successful competition on the sporting are up there,here, and they are all in four oror proposedproposed the idea of a well as the most lucrative, as he revealed that the expanded competition could side, and economically.” five countriesntries in Europe,”Europe,” hehe said,said, beforebefore pan-Africanpan-African league, that FIFA have had nine offers to buy the generate as much as $50 billion in There are many issues raised by the hinting atat a possiblepossible move towards a aandnd on FridaFridayy he commercial rights to the tournament. revenue. introduction of such a new tournament, larger, closedlosed elite.elite. confirmedconfirmed plans for The President of world football’s He believes the added depth, com- not least the already bloated match “If youou want to developdevelop footballfootball a women’swomen’s ClClubub governing body is in Qatar for the final bined with the fact the competition will calendar. in the world,orld, then we need to have WorldWorld CuCupp were “a of this year’s Club World Cup, with Liv- now be played at the end of the European The inaugural edition is also set to the ambitionition and the objective to workw ork in erpool facing Flamengo yesterday in club season, makes it an irresistible clash with the next Africa Cup of Nations, have 50 clubsclubs around the world who progress”.progress”. what will be the penultimate edition of prospect for bidders. a competition that was recently moved people canan identify themselves with, the tournament in its current format. “It will be in June when traditionally from January-February to June and July and we havehave to thinkthink about whwhatat It will return here next year, before we have World Cups, so the conditions to avoid clashing with the European club kind of platformsplatforms and competi-competi- a new, 24-team tournament begins in I think will be optimal,” he said. season. tions wee can givgivee June and July 2021, with China having “We are commercialising the com- However, the new Club World Cup them. already been awarded hosting rights. petition now and up to yesterday will only be held every four years and “The new “I want the Club World Cup to be the (Thursday) we had nine offers that were replaces the Confederations Cup. Club Worldorld best in terms of quality on the pitch but much more interesting than what I had The 49-year-old said he accepted Cup is cer-cer- also in terms of revenues,” Infantino told thought, so that shows there is a big com- concerns about the amount of football tainly oonene journalists in Doha yesterday, adding: mercial interest.” being played, but defended FIFA’s need that goess in “Whatever FIFA is doing has to be the A larger Club World Cup raises the to “foster discussions to see how we can thatt best, that’s clear.” prospect of more match-ups like Satur- make the game better”. direction.n. While the existing Club World Cup day’s final, for which a huge Brazilian He recently made the same defence “If Gianni Infantino features only the six continental contingent is in Qatar. amid reports he was backing a proposed we can Becker Becker looks to fulfill childhood

‘dream’ with title win in Qatar In a one-off game ARMSTRONG VAS as a supporter,” said the Brazil be a very interesting and like this they can THE PENINSULA international. enjoyable one. And for us to win win, especially if “I was so excited at that time. the title. However, the most they do a good Liverpool will try to give their Then I started to dream of this. important thing is for the fans to ‘best’ in the final of the FIFA Now I am here, with this big see the excitement and enjoy marking job on World Cup against Flamengo opportunity to win it for the first themselves watching the match.” Liverpool’s three while training their guns on a time with Liverpool against a big He added: “It’s big for Bra- forwards. Flamengo maiden title at the Khalifa Inter- club. zilians. But I think it’s bigger for are excellent national Stadium here today, said Becker said like their Bra- whoever is playing this. Those The Reds goalkeeper Alisson zilian counterparts, his team- outside don’t give value for this collectively and Becker. mates are equally determined to competition because it’s limited they have a great The Reds will face the South make themselves world just for the winners. attack. Bruno American champions in the final champions. “Flamengo won the Liberta- Henrique, Gabigol as they aim to win the tour- “It’s a very important match dores, we won the Champions nament for the first time in club for me and my team, to play League, Monterrey won the CON- (Gabriel Barbosa) history. against such a famous team, and CACAF, and many other clubs won and (Giorgian) De The Reds have played in big team, like Flamengo,” said the big competitions. And we are here. Arrascaeta have three previous finals, in different Liverpool goalkeeper. “We are making this big for us scored something variations of the tournament “We played against because this is important. Also, to format, in 1981 – coincidentally Monterrey; football is the same, put our name in the history of the like 100 goals against today’s opponents Fla- however, clubs differ in terms of club with the first time ever Liv- between them mengo – 1985 and 2005 but lost style. The Mexican team played a erpool can win it. We will try our all season so on all the three ocassions. very tough match and we didn’t best. their forwards It remains the only trophy to play the best match. “You can feel from Fla- elude the six-time European “But tomorrow I’m sure we’ll mengo’s side that the supporters are as strong like champions and Alisson, who as a spare no efforts to win against are here already, supporting their Liverpool’s are. But Brazilian is well aware of how Flamengo. Flamengo are a very team. In the last game I think I think Flamengo important the competition and is famous team and has players who there were more than 10,000 have more creative chasing a child hood dream. have participated in many inter- supporters. “When I was young, at 14, my national competitions, so they are “But this is not just big for midfielders: Brazil former club Internacional used to playing in big competi- them, it’s big for us also. We want great became Club World Cup cham- tions and reaching the final. to win it and we’ll try to do our pions in 2006 and I watched it “I hope tomorrow’s match will best on the pitch.” SPORT PAGE | 17 PAGE | 19 Five-star Afridi leads FIFA President Pakistan fightback Infantino revealss against Sri Lanka in plans for new Second Test Club World Cup

Saturday 21 December 2019

Liverpool, Flamengo eye glory in Doha

ARMSTRONG VAS THE PENINSULA VS Two contrasting styles of football will be on show today at the Khalifa International Stadium when English giants Liverpool take on Flamengo club of Brazil kick off at 8.30pm in the FIFA Club World Cup decider. difference. We cannot change All eyes will be focussed on that. But we are here and we - my Doha as the UEFA Champions team - want to win the compe- League winners take on the Copa tition, even when we know it is Qatar’s Libertadores holders in the very difficult because the other showdown between European team is really, really good, but Al Jassim to and South American schools of that’s how it is with the big com- football in the eagerly-awaited Liverpool’s German manager Jurgen Klopp speaks during a press conference at the Khalifa petitions,” added Klopp. blow the whistle title clash. International Stadium in Doha on the eve of today’s FIFA Club World Cup final against Flamengo. Jesus, the Portuguese coach Liverpool booked their place of Flamengo said entire Brazil is at title decider in the final at the expense of waiting for the club to win the ARMSTRONG VAS Monterrey in a hard-fought semi- comprising of Bruno Henrique, Club World Cup. THE PENINSULA final, which they won 2-1 against Gabriel Barbosa and Giorgian De “My priority is to think of how the Mexican side while Flamengo Arrascaeta having scored some- Brazilian legend Cesar Flamengo wins and are crowned Qatar’s Abdulrahman Al Jassim, turned the tables on Al Hilal in the thing like 100 goals between them world champion. Me and the who dreams of officiating the second half of their last-four all season. to bring out the trophy entire nation want us to win. Then, final of the FIFA World Cup in fixture. The Flamengo creative mid- of course, in Portugal, the Portu- his home country in three years The Reds have a 38-year old fielders Everton Ribeiro, Gerson THE PENINSULA guese people have been following time, will blow the whistle to score to settle with Flamengo as and De Arrascaeta along Diego, DOHA Flamengo with passion. This is a signal the kick off the FIFA they eye their maiden title in will be the ones who will hold the pride for me. I’m happy that the World Cup final at the Khalifa Qatar. key to the pace of the match. Ex- and Flamengo star Julio Cesar will bring out the Portuguese are following my International Stadium in Doha In 1981, Flamengo, captained In the rival camp, The Reds Club World Cup before today’s final, organisers announced sporting success and also playing today. by Brazilian great Zicio defeated are hopeful defender Virgil van yesterday. an active role,” said Jesus. Al Jassim, along with two Liverpool 3-0 in the Interconti- Dijk will be able to play after Cesar, the Brazilian goalkeeping legend and Club World Cup The Portuguese trainer while other Qatari referees Taleb Al nental Cup and the South Amer- illness kept the Dutchman out of winner in 2010, told FIFA.com that he is excited to be reunited complimenting Klopp said both Marri and Saoud Almaqaleh will icans will be looking to repeat the the Monterrey game, meaning with the trophy. the clubs are on the way to the main match officials for the trick final today. Jordan Henderson partnered Joe “I’m really happy and excited, as I only just found out! FIFA regaining their past glory. final between European cham- Coach Jesus’ side will Gomez in central defence while a told me I was getting this opportunity because I can touch the “The comparison we can have pions Liverpool and their South aim to cap a superb season by lost will centre around Mohamed trophy, having won this tournament in 2010 with Inter Milan. It’s with Flamengo is that Flamengo American counterparts Fla- adding the world title to the Bra- Salah performance and his skilful an honour and a big pleasure for me to be walking out to the pitch comes from a title win this season. mengo. Spanish Juan Munuera zilian League and Copa Liberta- play. with the trophy. Thanks to FIFA for the opportunity,” Cesar said. Both clubs are regaining interna- will be the VAR referee for the dores trophies they won in Both the clubs from two dif- tional prestige. Liverpool’s history match. November. ferent continents clash rarely and in recent years is regaining its Al Jassim has been a Much will depend on the Fla- that what makes the clash inter- up front, they have creativity in got sent here from their continent prestige as a great team in Europe member of the FIFA board since mengo strikers and midfielders esting for fans in both camps. the centre of the park, they are with a clear order to win it and to and the world. Klopp is making a 2013. He has already officiated “We know one thing I never cheeky on the wings, they can play come back as heroes. We got told, spectacular recovery, not just in in the 2017 U20 World Cup in played against a Brazilian team, crosses, they go inside, all that ‘Stay at home and play the England but in the Champions South Korea and was named that’s true, but Flamengo never stuff. It’s just like a football team Carabao Cup’. That’s a massive league,” Jesus said. video assistant during the2018 played against a team like Liv- should be, like a successful FIFA World Cup in Russia. My priority is to think erpool as well. We will see who football team is. They are pretty Flamengo coach Jorge Jesus The 31-year-old made his speaks during a pre-match of how Flamengo wins can make more of this tomorrow much not used to losing football World Cup debut when he offi- night,” said Liverpool coach games anymore because they press conference yesterday. ciated the Group E match and are crowned world Jürgen Klopp, while talking to didn’t lose a lot since Jorge Jesus between and Costa Rica champion. Me and the journalists on the eve of the is in,” Klopp said while comple- in Samara, Russia as part of the entire nation want us to match. menting the work of his Jesus. VAR team which Serbia win by win. Then, of course, in The German tactician at The The former Benfica and 1-0. Portugal, the Portuguese Reds said his opposite number Sporting Lisbon coach only took Al Jassim was selected as people have been from Portugal has been able to over the Rio club in June, but led part of the 13 VAR officials for following Flamengo with build a strong unit in the short them to the the 2018 World Cup and was the time he has been with the title in November with victory only AFC referee selected to the passion. This is a pride for Brazilians. over Argentina’s River Plate and VAR group with three from me. I’m happy that the “It is a really settled line-up, then their first Brazilian CONMEBOL and nine from Portuguese are following it’s a team where everybody title since 2009. UEFA. my sporting success and knows what they have to do. They Klopp said his team was “Nothing is impossible in life also playing an active have different ways of play, they focussed on winning the trophy. and I am still working to achieve role: Jorge Jesus have playing build-up, they can “The situation is different for my goal. I want officiate in a be more direct, they have speed Flamengo and for us. Flamengo World Cup match but now I am a . My goal, however, is to be the Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk (left) and Mohamed Salah referee at the 2022 World Cup during a practice session in Doha, yesterday.. Liverpool to make late call final in Qatar,” Al Jassem had said. on Van Dijk, Wijnaldum Al Jassim compatriot Assitant Referee Al Marri also THE PENINSULA But speaking at his pre- made his World Cup debut in DOHA match press conference in Russia serving as an assistant Doha yesterday, Klopp said: referee in the Poland vs Senegal Liverpool will make take a “We will see.” tmatch. He was among the 10 late call on the fitness of Virgil “Virg was part of referees who were representing van Dijk and Georginio training today, Gini had a the Asian Football Confeder- Wijnaldum to determine if session today. We will see ation (AFC) in the 32-team tour- they are fit to feature in how it will look at the end. nament. Iran, Uzbekistan and today’s FIFA Club World Cup We have no new injury Saudi Arabia each had two rep- final with Flamengo, coach concerns. resentatives in the list of 10 Jürgen Klopp has confirmed. “How you can imagine, assistant referees. Other AFC Van Dijk was forced to sit it was Wednesday night assistant referees were from the out Wednesday’s semi-final when we played and now Bahrain, the UAE and Japan. victory over Monterrey due it’s Friday, so we use each “I am proud to be the first to illness, while Wijnaldum hour for recovery and all referee to represent Qatar in a was sidelined with the muscle that stuff. That’s what we did World Cup,” Al Marri had injury he picked up against and we will see who we can tweeted after being selected as Watford last weekend. line up tomorrow.” an assistant referee