Dressel scoops more gold on a dark day at swimming worlds PAGE 14

SUNDAY, JULY 28, 2019

Adel Abdulla closes in on the gap on series leaders in T3 at Baja Spain Aragon PAGE 15 FORMULA 1 GERMAN GRAND PRIX Qatar Cricket Assn gets ICC nod to host T10 league Afridi named Brand ents from these sub-continent nations allow their kids to play Ambassador; 4 to 6 cricket. They grow up watch- ing the sport so that has made teams likely to the game so big there. feature in the Star-studded “Right now, we can’t com- pare our standard with theirs first edition ‘The initial plan is to have but our senior team has been four to six teams in the playing well. They had an un- RAAJIV TRIPATHI first year. We’ll try to get fortunate loss against Singa- DOHA pore in the ICC T20 World Cup eight foreign players for Asia Regional Final but they WITH the International Crick- each team. They may not were able to beat Nepal, which et Council (ICC) stamping its be necessarily active, but was a remarkable effort. Nepal approval and former Pakistan known and experienced is ranked much higher than us star Shahid “Boom Boom” Af- players. There will also be but we were still able to beat ridi being the brand ambas- three local players who will them. Two matches are still sador, the Qatar Cricket As- left and we’ve a good chance to sociation (QCA) has planned play with and against qualify,” Kuwari said. to launch its T10 league by the these stars.’ The QCA head admitted that end of the year. there is a long and challenging Divulging details of the Cricket is one of the most way to go before the T10 league new venture, QCA President followed and played sport in is a reality here. “It was quite Yousef Jeham al Kuwari, said Qatar, Kuwari said. “There is a tough to get the ICC clearance hectic preparations have al- lot of talent available at different for our T10 plan. But Qatar has ready begun for the ambitious levels – senior, under-19 and a big reputation of hosting suc- T10 league. under-16. I feel the T10 league cessful international sporting “We’re delighted to an- would offer the sport a new fil- events. So that made it easy for nounce that QCA is going lip. I didn’t know that the expa- us to get the council’s nod. to host the professional T10 QCA President Yousef Jeham al Kuwari giving details of the T10 League in Doha. triates from India, Pakistan, Sri “But that was just one of league at the Asia Town Sta- Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal the challenges that we face dium in Industrial Area this year. We’ll try to get eight for- Talking about the dates, Qatar Olympic Committee Joaan bin Hamad al Thani. have such a huge passion for it. for our T10 league. There is a year. The ICC has given its rec- eign players for each team. he said, “We’re talking to dif- (QOC) but it has yet to get its “We have limited resources “It was amazing to see lot of work to do, especially in ognition to the league. I have They may not be necessarily ferent boards so that we can full backing. “Whatever we’re and have to use them to make them come out and play early the first year. We’re just work- had a meeting with Pakistan’s active, but known and experi- have a suitable window for our doing for sports in Qatar, it the T10 a big success. Not only morning even when they have ing hard to ensure its success. famous former international enced players. There will also league towards the end of the is eventually helping the na- that, we have to attract major just one off day. Whether they If we can host the league in a Shahid Afridi who has happily be three local players who will year. From time to time, we’ll tion get more recognition and sponsors and TV channels like are labourers or doctors, all big way in the first year, lot of agreed to be the brand ambas- play with and against these keep people informed about praise. We do have the bless- beIN and Alkass as well. We gather wherever they find things will be easy for next edi- sador for the league,” he said. stars. We hope this will help the progress,” he added. ings of the QOC but I’d look know that if we succeed, it will space and start playing. I re- tions. So it is very significant “The initial plan is to have us in general pushing cricket Kuwari said the QCA has forward to strong backing be watched by millions of fans,” ally appreciate their passion for us to leave a good impres- four to six teams in the first here to next level.” always had blessings of the from the QOC and HE Sheikh he added. and now I know why the par- sion,” Kuwari said. Hamilton on pole Qatar Goodwood Festival from Tuesday World famous “Congratulations Lewis – The Qatar Goodwood Festival is a Brit makes most you never stop amazing us,” world-famous five-day event and said Mercedes team chief Toto one of the highlights of flat of double Wolff as the Briton drove his slow-down lap. “Thanks, Toto,” racing season. Over 100,000 disaster in he replied. “A great job guys – I people flock to the world’s most don’t know how we did that.” beautiful racecourse to enjoy top German GP Hamilton’s lap was the class racing and entertainment, only one in the 1:11’s all week- including four Group 1 races; AFP Starting Grid for Sunday end at the Hockenheimring, namely, the Qatar International HOCKENHEIM (GERMANY) where he last took pole in Stakes for pure Arabians, the 1st row: Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) 2008, and gave his team a per- Qatar Goodwood Cup, the LEWIS Hamilton secured a Max Verstappen (NED/Red Bull-Honda) fect cause for celebration on £1-million Qatar Sussex Stakes gift-wrapped record-extending 2nd row: Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Mercedes) the anniversary of 125 years Pierre Gasly (FRA/Red Bull-Honda) and the Qatar Nassau Stakes. 87th of his career 3rd row: Kimi Raikkonen (FIN/Alfa Romeo Racing- of motorsport and their 200th on Saturday when he made the Ferrari); Romain Grosjean (FRA/Haas-Ferrari) Formula One race start. most of a double disaster for 4th row: Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP/McLaren-Renault) “My first lap was spot-on Sergio Perez (MEX/Racing Point-Mercedes) Ferrari in qualifying at the Ger- 5th row: Nico Hülkenberg (GER/Renault) and the second lap was better in The Qatar Goodwood Festival will kick off in Sussex, England, on July 30 and continue till August 3. man Grand Prix. (MON/Ferrari) places,” said Hamilton. The defending five-time 6th row: (ITA/Alfa Romeo Racing- Verstappen said: “We could HE 2019 season of the Qatar Sussex Stakes (Gr1): world champion, who had Ferrari); Kevin Magnussen (DEN/Haas-Ferrari) have been closer, but went a QREC-sponsored Qa- John Gosden’s Too Darn Hot is 7th row: Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/Renault) all set for the feature £1-million struggled for pace and consist- Daniil Kvyat (RUS/Toro Rosso-Honda) bit wide and bottomed out and Ttar Goodwood Festival ency in his Mercedes in prac- 8th row: Lance Stroll (CAN/Racing Point-Mercedes) I lost the rear end, but this is a will take place at the rolling G1 Qatar Sussex Stakes on tice, improved to clock a best Lando Norris (GBR/McLaren-Renault) good result.” Sussex countryside in Eng- Wednesday, July 31. The three- lap in one minute and 11.767 9th row: Alexander Albon (THA/Toro Rosso-Honda) Bottas said: “The weather land from July 30 (Tues- year-old registered his first victo- George Russell (GBR/Williams-Mercedes) and outpace Max Verstappen of 10th row: Robert Kubica (POL/Williams-Mercedes) could play a big part tomorrow. day) to August 3 (Saturday) ry of the campaign in the G1 Prix Red Bull by 0.346 seconds. (GER/Ferrari). I’m a bit disappointed, especial- with Qatar’s generous sup- Jean Prat at Deauville on July 7. Hamilton’s Mercedes team- ly with the pace in Q3. Ferrari port of the week with prize- Aidan O’Brien’s Circus Maximus mate Valtteri Bottas was third Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton celebrates winning the had been very quick here... so money totalling over £5.5 has been supplemented for the ahead of Pierre Gasly in the qualifying session of the German Formula One Grand Prix at the we’re in a good place.” million. Here’s looking to the mile contest. The three-year- second Red Bull while Charles Hockenheim racing circuit in Germany on Saturday. (AFP) On an overcast day after action ahead. old Galileo colt took the G1 St Leclerc, who had been fast- heavy overnight rain, the Wil- James’s Palace Stakes at Royal est for Ferrari in final practice, luckless Ferrari team-mate Kimi Raikkonen was fifth for liams team were first on track Qatar International Stakes Ascot on June 18. failed to run in the Q3 top-10 Sebastian Vettel who was un- Alfa Romeo ahead of Romain for Q1, in front of an enthusias- (Gr1/PA): The entries for the shootout due to a fuel systems able to take part in qualify- Grosjean of Haas, Carlos Sainz tic crowd boosted by Verstap- Qatar International Stakes (Gr Qatar Nassau Stakes (Gr1): problem with his car. ing due to a turbo problem of McLaren, Sergio Perez of pen’s ‘orange army’ and many 1/PA) include top performers of The star Japanese Deirdre is set The Moneqasque will start and will start at the back of Racing Point and Nico Hulk- local supporters for Vettel in the caliber of the His Highness rematch between Stradivarius to run in the G1 Qatar Nassau 10th, 10 places ahead of his the grid for his home race. enberg of Renault. Ferrari red. Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa (John Gosden) and Dee Ex Stakes over10 furlongs on Day 3. al Thani-owned and Alban de Bee (Mark Johnston) is set to The five-year-old Harbinger mare, Mieulle-trained Tayf, winner of provide the best possible start a G1 winner in Japan, is trained thrills crowd in his father’s Ferrari this race in 2017 and Yazeed, to the Qatar Goodwood Festi- by Mitsuru Hashida. Frankel’s winner of the Qatar Gold Sword val. The two stayers head 13 three-year-old filly Mehdaayih will this year, the His Highness confirmations for the highlight take her chance in the £600,000 Sheikh Mohammed bin Khal- of day 1; the £500,000 G1 run; a race her trainer, John Gos- ifa al Thani-owned and Julian Qatar Goodwood Cup over two den, has won four times. Smart-trained Ebraz, winner of miles. A length separated the the HH The Amir Sword this year, duo last time out in the G1 Gold Other black type races: There and the Al Shaqab Racing-owned Cup over two and a half miles will be also three Group 2 and Thomas Fourcy-trained Amir at Royal Ascot on June 20, with races; namely, the seven-fur- Al Cham, winner of the Qatar Stradivarius coming out on top. long Qatar Vintage Stakes and Derby for 3YOs last year. Stradivarius is going for a record the seven-furlong Qatar Lennox The quadruple features among third straight win in the opening Stakes on day 1 as well as the entries for the £400,000 day highlight. He has looked as the six-furlong Qatar Richmond mile contest to be run on good as ever in two starts this Stakes on Day 3. The Festival Wednesday (July 31). season, capturing the G2 York- will also feature five Group 3 The list also includes the F shire Cup at York in May before races, including the Goodwood Hockenheim (Germany): Mick Schumacher completed an emotional three-lap demonstration run in his father Michael’s championship-winning Rohaut-trained Muraaqib, a second successive G1 Gold Markel Insurance Molecomb Ferrari F2004 car on Saturday before qualifying at the German Grand Prix. The 20-year-old son of the seven-time world champion said it felt winner of this race last year, Cup victory. Dee Ex Bee had Stakes to on Wednesday, 31 like “torture” as he waited to emerge from the pit-lane in front of a big crowd at the Hockenheim circuit. Now a Formula Two driver, Schumach- the A de Watrigant-trained Tay- won two G3 contests over two July. Trainer Joseph Patrick er wore a helmet that paid tribute to his father’s career as he drove the car that carried his father to 13 victories and the drivers’ title in 2004. mour and the Frederic miles in 2019 – Ascot’s Sagaro O’Brien has entered the Qatar “I just wanted to go out and I just wanted to drive,” he said. “Obviously, having to wait, even in front of the pit exit, was more like torture. Sanchez-trained Hayyan. Stakes and the Henry II Stakes Racing-owned Air Force Jet in “I never lost a smile. It was always on my face. Even when I was locking up, I was smiling! It was really cool.” (AFP) Qatar Goodwood Cup (Gr1): A at Sandown Park. this five-furlong race. (TNN) 14 Sunday, July 28, 2019 Sports FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2019 to be played from Dec 11 to 21

FIFA.COM round matches and the semi- will be known in the coming current holders of the Qatar ZURICH finals taking place at the months. Stars League title, Al Sadd SC, Home of FIFA in Zurich on The club representing will play the opening match THIS year’s FIFA Club World September 16. hosts Qatar will depend on against Hienghène Sport. Cup will kick off on December Three participants have the outcome of the ongoing The winners of the first- 11, with the champions being already been confirmed: CF AFC Champions League. If a round match and the repre- crowned on December 21. The Monterrey from Mexico (win- team from Qatar are the AFC sentatives of the AFC, CAF dates of the tournament tak- ners of the 2019 Concacaf champions, they will qualify and Concacaf, who will be ing place in Qatar were con- Champions League), Hieng- directly for the second round drawn in no particular order firmed on July 25 by the Bu- hène Sport from New Caledo- of the FIFA Club World Cup as teams A, B, C and D, will reau of the FIFA Council. nia (winners of the 2019 OFC Qatar 2019, with the AFC contest the second round. The In its current format fea- Champions League) and Liv- runners-up playing the open- second-round winners will turing seven teams, the FIFA erpool FC from England (win- ing match against Hienghène face the UEFA or CONME- Club World Cup will again ners of the 2018-2019 UEFA Sport. BOL representatives in the consist of eight matches, with Champions League). If the AFC Champions semi-finals, with the respec- the draw that will determine The participants from League winners are not a tive pairings having been pre- the pairings for the second- CAF, AFC and CONMEBOL club from Qatar, then the viously defined by the draw.

Atletico Madrid’s Diego Costa scores his fourth goal of the match past Real Madrid’s goalkeeper Keylor Navas during their International Cham- pions Cup clash at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Friday. (EPA-EFE) Dressel provides golden glow Atletico humble rivals American romps Qatar invite for FINA chief to a hat-trick as Real 7-3 in friendly accident shakes AFP score to 5-0 at halftime and 6-0 swimming worlds NEW YORK before Real Madrid got one on the scoreboard. AFP DIEGO Costa scored four goals Costa set the tone in the first GWANGJU, SOUTH KOREA as Atletico Madrid embarrassed minute. Put through in the area La Liga rivals Real Madrid 7-3 by Felix he fired across his body AMERICAN superstar Caeleb Friday in a pre-season friendly to make it 1-0. Dressel produced more fire- at MetLife Stadium. Felix struck in the eighth, works Saturday as he romped Costa had a hat-trick by slotting home a ball that was cut to a hat-trick of gold medals, halftime and added one more back to him by Saul Niguez. taking his tally to six on a dark goal before he was sent off in Real Madrid keeper Thibaut day when a fatal nightclub ac- the 63rd, when both teams were Courtois could only watch Cor- cident shook swimming’s world reduced to 10 men after a testy rea’s 19th-minute blast into the championships. shoving match. bottom left corner. Day seven also threw up “We started the game very Costa bagged his second to further doping controversy with poorly. In a top-level match make it 4-0 in the 28th, Saul Australian officials announc- such as this, we had a very bad winning the ball after a poor ing freestyle relay world-record start, Real Madrid coach Zin- pass from Real Madrid’s Ser- holder Shayna Jack had tested edine Zidane said. gio Ramos and sending a pass positive for a banned substance, “The players are well aware for Costa. Costa made it 5-0 on explaining her mysterious no- and they’re disappointed. the stroke of halftime, convert- show in South Korea. “We don’t need to dwell on ing from the penalty spot after But Dressel, swimming’s it, this is a pre-season game. he was brought down in the squeaky-clean, tattooed glam- They were better in every re- area by Isco. our boy, helped refocus atten- spect and that’s all there is to it.” Atletico’s lead swelled to tion on the pool as he retained Caeleb Dressel of the US celebrates after winning in the men’s 100m The first meeting outside 6-0 in the 51st minute when his 50 metres freestyle and butterfly final at the Gwangju 2019 FINA World Championships in Qatari delegation at Gwangju 2019 led by Qatar Swimming Association of Europe between the Madrid Costa teamed with Felix for 100m butterfly world titles in South Korea on Saturday. (EPA-EFE) President Khaleel al Jabir (right) extended an invitation to the interna- rivals proved a dismal night for his fourth of the night, Felix style, before leading the Ameri- tional swimming federation (FINA) President Julio Maglione to attend Zidane’s Real Madrid, who saw slotting a pass through Real can mixed 4x100m freestyle Dressel, who scooped seven took silver a full body-length the swimming World Cup in Doha in Novermber this year. Serbian starlet Luka Jovic hob- Madrid’s defence for Costa to team to a new world record. gold medals at the 2017 world behind, with South African ble off after an awkward colli- arc over Keylor Navas. Eden “It doesn’t just come togeth- championships in Budapest, Chad le Clos third. “But tomorrow I will be have come at a worse time for sion with Atletico keeper Jan Hazard helped Real Madrid er by accident,” said Dressel, af- let out a roar of delight but had Just when his rivals ready to swim one more, and Australia, after Mack Horton’s Oblak in the 24th minute. pull back a goal in the 59th ter becoming the first swimmer very little time to savour the thought it was safe to get back one more fast.” highly public podium snub of Zidane can only hope the with a cross that Nacho bun- to win at least six gold medals at moment. in the water, Dressel gave the Dressel’s heroics came af- China’s Sun Yang on day one. news on his injury will be bet- dled over the line. two world championships. After the shortest of breath- United States relay quartet the ter the shock news that two Meanwhile, American ter than that on Marco Asensio, Minutes later Daniel Carva- “It wasn’t easy but I don’t ers, the 22-year-old was back lead they would keep, Simon locals died and eight athletes great Katie Ledecky displayed who could miss most if not all of jal’s late challenge on Thomas want it to be easy, I really don’t.” for the 100m butterfly final and Manuel bringing the Ameri- were injured after an indoor a champion’s heart to win her the La Liga season after ruptur- Lemar saw tempers flare, with Bouncing on his toes like after a long, hard stare down cans home in a world record of balcony at a Gwangju night- fourth successive 800m free- ing a knee ligament against Ar- both Costa and Carvajal sent off. a prizefighter before the 50m lane four, he got it done again. 3:19.40, just over half-a-second club collapsed in the early style gold after being pushed senal on Tuesday. Undeterred, Atletico grabbed free, Dressel exploded from the Once again making his sig- in front of Australia. hours Saturday, sending party- to the limit by European cham- Portuguese 19-year-old their seventh goal in the 70th blocks and never looked back, nature fast start, the American “I’m glad it’s over,” said goers plummeting over five pion Simona Quadarella. Joao Felix, signed from Ben- thanks’ to a superb solo run by clocking a championship best touched in 49.66 – the second- Dressel, who also took a silver metres onto people below. Elsewhere, Sweden’s Sarah fica this month for 126 million Vitolo. 21.04 seconds, comfortably quickest swim ever, a night af- in the 4x100m mixed medley A doping controversy fol- Sjostrom swept to victory in the euros, scored his first goal for Karim Benzema converted clear of Brazilian Bruno Fratus ter shattering Michael Phelps’s and could win a seventh gold in lowed when it was revealed 50m fly in 25.02, becoming the Atletico, and helped set up two an 85th-minute penalty and and Greek Kristian Gkolomeev, 10-year-old world record. the men’s 4x100m medley relay Jack had failed a drug test, a first woman to win three world more. Angel Correa also scored Javi Hernandez scored in the who tied for silver in 21.45. Russia’s Andrei Minakov on the final day. development that could not titles in the event. for Atletico, who had run the 89th to trim the deficit. Peru bursts with pride as Lima Inter edge PSG on penalties AFP opens Pan American Games MACAU PORTUGUESE midfielder Joao Mario scored the final spot-kick REUTERS as Inter Milan beat Neymar-less LIMA Paris Saint-Germain on penal- ties in Macau on Saturday. LONG known for its ancient With their want-away Bra- treasures, Peru revealed a zilian superstar left out of the modern face on Friday as the trip to the former Portuguese country celebrated hosting colony, PSG were seconds from its first Pan Am Games with a victory before Samuele Longo’s wondrous opening ceremony injury-time equaliser made that paid homage to the past it 1-1. Inter goalkeeper Samir while looking to the future. Handanovic saved from Adil PSG’s Kylian Mbape vies for the ball with Inter Milan’s Milan Skriniar Precious medals rather Aouchiche and then Arthur during their International Super Cup match in Macau on Sarurday. (AFP) than Inca gold will be the tar- Zagre before Mario stepped up get for more than 6,000 ath- to slot the winner for Inter, who fine stops from PSG’s Alphonse Milan Skriniar and new signing letes from 41 countries during edged the penalties 6-5. Areola in the first 10 minutes. Pablo Sarabia floated a free kick the July 26-Aug. 11 compe- The win for Antonio Conte’s New signing Stefano Sensi which a climbing Thilo Kehrer tition, which also serves as side comes just days after they and Ivan Perisic were instru- glanced into the net. Olympic qualifying for Tokyo lost to Italian rivals Juventus on mental in the early Inter attack, Inter leapt into the attack in 23 sports. An eye-popping penalties in a friendly in China. producing quick probing passes in the second half, with Perisic 4,981 medals will be awarded Retired Peruvian volleyball player Lucha Fuentes carries the Pan Am Games flame during the opening Neymar, linked with a move and causing problems for PSG. jinking his way into the box to across the Pan Am and Para- ceremony of the XVIII Pan American Games in Lima, Peru on Friday. (REUTERS) back to his former club Barce- In Neymar’s absence it was force another fine save from pan Am Games. lona, remained in China’s Shen- French World Cup-winner Ky- Areola, before sending the re- Peru have never made an 1962, which Peru hopes could Rio de Janeiro used the rivals for a striking opening zhen, PSG’s previous stop on lian Mbappe who drew cheers bound soaring over the bar. impression on the Pan Am allow for more bids for elite 2007 Pan Ams as an audition ceremony, however, with the their Asian tour, while his team- from the 8,800-strong crowd But in the last minute, sub- medal table but the hosts are competitions. for the 2016 Summer Olym- crowd erupting in a mighty mates flew to Macau. with his driving runs, although stitute Longo picked up a bob- eager to claim their share and “Welcome everyone to the pics and Toronto toyed with roar that might have carried In a scrappy game in swel- he was often let down by his fi- bling pass trickling through the show they are ready to step up greatest show this city has ever the same idea after staging the to Machu Picchu when sailor tering Macau, Inter were quick- nal touch. Just before half-time PSG box to drive the ball into and join Brazil and Argentina seen,” Carlos Neuhaus, the showcase in 2015. Stefano Peschiera led the Peru er out of the blocks forcing three Mbappe was brought down by the bottom corner. as South America’s sporting organising committee presi- Lima has given no indica- team into the stadium. heavyweights. dent, told a capacity crowd at tion it wants an Olympics but A second tier multi-sport Peru’s best haul came four the Estadio Nacional. a decent medal haul along event often compared to the years ago in Toronto where “Lima 2019 has already with the infrastructure up- Commonwealth and Asian Quick read they won three gold medals but transformed sports in Peru. grades, which include an ath- Games, the Pan Ams will miss in the seven previous Pan Ams, Today Lima has become the letes village to be converted Olympic A-listers like Ameri- Basilashvili battles past Zverev into Hamburg title clash they topped the podium once. new sports capital of the into affordable housing units, can gymnast Simone Biles and The country’s largest sport- Americas.” could do more than boost na- swimmer Katie Ledecky. DEFENDING champion Nikoloz Basilashvili saved two match points against Alexander Zverev before ing event has come with a $1.2 There is a lot riding on tional pride. The city’s chaotic But there will be qual- battling past the German 6-4 4-6 7-6(5) to reach final of the Hamburg European Open on Saturday. billion price tag. the next two weeks for Peru traffic is a factor, however, ity spread across 39 sports. Basilashvili was staring at defeat while trailing 3-5 in the third set but the 27-year-old dug deep to deny Most of the funds were and its athletes. The Pan Am and getting to some of the More than 100 Olympic med- local favourite Zverev and stay on course for a third career ATP title. dedicated to the construction Games may not be among magnificent sporting venues allists and world champions In Sunday’s title clash, the fourth-seeded Georgian takes on Russian Andrey Rublev who beat Spaniard of permanent sports infra- sport’s most coveted events might prove a medal-worthy will look to make their mark Pablo Carreno Busta 4-6 7-5 6-1 in the other semi-final. “It was a tough match, a tight match. There structure, like the first Olym- but past hosts have parlayed challenge in itself. less than a year out from the were a lot of ups and downs... I was emotional on court but I was able to finish it in the tiebreak and pic size swimming pool since success into bigger things. There were few late ar- Tokyo Games. I’m really happy about that,” Basilashvili said in a courtside interview. (REUTERS) Sports Sunday, July 28, 2019 15 Qatar’s Lian Mansoor fifth in Arab Chess Cup Younousse, Tijan rally to finish 9th in Tokyo Open

Qatar’s ace players Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan capped their thrilling comeback with a ninth-place finish in the Tokyo Open, a Four-Star event on the FIVB Beach World Tour, on Friday. With two defeats in Pool E, they were on the verge of an exit. But after beating Brazilians fifth seeds Alison Cerutti and Alvarao Filho in straight sets, they advanced to the Lucky Losers bracket in which they handed a straight-set loss to Chinese Peng Gao and Yang Li. This victory advanced them to the first eliminator against Brazilians world champs and Olympic medallists Evandro Goncalves and Bruno Oscar Schmidt. Both the Qataris battled hard against the second seeds and lost 19-21, 19-21 in a 47-minute thriller. They Lian Mansoor Qasabi secured the fifth place in the Arab Chess Cup, emerging as the best finisher for Qatar in the national claimed 400 ranking team in Amman, Jordan. She collected five points to share the spot with Lebanese’s Mariam Saigh and Jordanian’s Rivana points and split $4,000 Hilal. Her sister Rowdah also took part in the championship. Abdullah al Hameed tallied 3.5 points to land the 23rd place in prize money. the U-14 category. Bernal moves closer to Tour title The Colombian was not troubled in STAGE RESULTS & OVERALL STANDINGS Tour de France stage 20 results after the run from France overall standings after stage 20 from Albertville the 20th stage; 2014 champion Nibali Albertville to Val Thorens: to Val Thorens on Saturday: 1. Vincenzo Nibali (ITA/BAH) in 1 h 51:53, 2. Alejandro 1. Egan Bernal (COL/Ineos) 79hr 52min 52sec, 2. Valverde (ESP/MOV) at 10, 3. Mikel Landa (ESP/MOV) Geraint Thomas (GBR/INE) at 1:11, 3. Steven Kruijswijk wins the day’s honours 14, 4. Egan Bernal (COL/INE) 17, 5. Geraint Thomas (NED/JUM) 1:31, 4. Emanuel Buchmann (GER/BOR) (GBR/INE) 17, 6. Rigoberto Uran (COL/EF1) 23, 7. 1:56, 5. Julian Alaphilippe (FRA/DEC) 3:45, 6. Mikel REUTERS ered in a stage that had been Emanuel Buchmann (GER/BOR) 23, 8. Steven Landa (ESP/MOV) 4:23, 7. Rigoberto Uran (COL/EF1) VAL THORENS (FRANCE) Kruijswijk (NED/JUM) 25, 9. Wouter Poels (NED/INE) 5:15, 8. Nairo Quintana (COL/MOV) 5:30, 9. Alejandro shortened due to landslides 30, 10. Nairo Quintana (COL/MOV) 30, 11. Warren Valverde (ESP/MOV) 6:12. 10. Warren Barguil (FRA/ on the initial course. Barguil (FRA/ARK) 46, 12. Gregor Muehlberger (AUT/ ARK) 7:32, 11. Richie Porte (AUS/TRE) 12:05, 12. CLIMBING phenomenon “It’s incredible to think BOR) 1:09, 13. Lennard Kämna (GER/SUN) 1:30, 14. Guillaume Martin (FRA/WGG) 22:08, 13. David Gaudu Egan Bernal was poised to be- that I have won my first Tour,” Marc Soler (ESP/MOV) 1:33, 15. Adam Yates (GBR/ (FRA/FDJ) 23:29, 14. Fabio Aru (ITA/UAE) 27:07, 15. MIT) 1:49, 16. Simon Yates (GBR/MIT) 1:52, 17. Ilnur Romain Bardet (FRA/ALM) 29:54, 16. Roman Kreuziger come the first Colombian to he said. “I just want to get to Zakarin (RUS/KAT) 1:56, 18. Elie Gesbert (FRA/ARK) (CZE/DDT) 35:49, 17. Sebastien Reichenbach (SUI/ win the Tour de France and the finish line in Paris tomor- 2:07, 19. Daniel Martin (IRL/UAE) 2:10, 20. Daryl FDJ) 43:41, 18. Daniel Martin (IRL/UAE) 44:30, 19. the youngest race champion in row and after I’ll be calmer. Impey (RSA/MIT) 2:10. Alexey Lutsenko (KAZ/AST) 48:32, 20. Jose Herrada 110 years when he retained the Colombia is on the verge of Lopez (ESP/COF) 51:16 Selected: overall lead after Saturday’s winning its first Tour - I feel 26. Julian Alaphilippe (FRA/DEC) 3:17, 27. Romain Selected: 20th stage, a 59-km ride from this is not only my triumph Bardet (FRA/ALM) 3:45, 38. Richie Porte (AUS/TRE) 28. Bauke Mollema (NED/TRE) 1.13:16, 29. Adam Albertville. but the triumph of a whole 5:54, 97. Peter Sagan (SVK/BOR) 15:52, 114. Edvald Yates (GBR/MIT) 1.16:09, 36. Greg Van Avermaet The Team Ineos rider, country. Boasson Hagen (NOR/DDT) 17:54, 132. Caleb Ewan (BEL/CCC) 1.27:11, 39. Vincenzo Nibali (ITA/BAH) (AUS/LOT) 18:38. 1.36:21, 49. Simon Yates (GBR/MIT) 1.53:03, 60. 22, finished fourth in the “My dad couldn’t talk at Thomas De Gendt (BEL/LOT) 2.10:04, 83. Peter Sagan stage won by 2014 champi- first but when he managed, Overall standings (SVK/BOR) 2.44:24, 155. Sebastian Langeveld (NED/ on Vicenzo Nibali, the only he congratulated me. He was Val Thorens, France, July 27, 2019 (AFP) -Tour de EF1) 4.34:23. man to interrupt the British about to cry. For us, it’s a outfit’s reign on the Tour dream. We used to watch the time champion and team Team Ineos principal since 2012. Tour on TV and we thought it mate Chris Froome, Bernal Dave Brailsford said: “It’s the His teammate and de- was something unreachable. Colombia’s Egan Bernal of Team Ineos celebrates after retaining the overall leader’s yellow jersey in the rose to the challenge after most exciting Tour de France fending champion Geraint As a kid, you think ‘how cool 20th stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race over 59.5km between Albertville and Val winning the Paris-Nice and that we’ve taken part in. A Thomas is second overall it would be to be there one Thorens in France on Saturday. (EPA-EFE) Tour de Suisse week long lot of people may have ques- ahead of Dutchman Steven day’, but it looked so far away. races. tioned having two leaders, Kruijswijk after France’s Ju- Here we are and I’m very Thomas, who was always best- riders’ advantage melted. “It was a difficult Tour for He will become the young- were we hedging our bets and lian Alaphilippe cracked in emotional.” ed by the Colombian in the Sensing the main pack me but I never gave up and fi- est rider to win the Tour de whether it was going to work. the final ascent to the ski re- Three Colombians will mountains and never looked breathing down the neck of nally I win again on this race,” France since the end of the It’s worked to perfection and sort of Val Thorens. feature in the top 10 as former in a position to threaten him the breakaway, Nibali, look- said Nibali, who had no huge Second World War and the you can’t get better than sec- Sunday’s final stage from podium finishers Rigoberto on his favourite terrain. ing to salvage a poor cam- expectations after finishing third youngest in its history. ond and first.” Rambouillet to Paris is a Uran and Nairo Quintana lie Kruijswijk is 1:31 off the paign with a stage win, went the Giro d’Italia second over- As he crossed the line Frenchman Romain Bar- largely processional ride with seventh and eighth overall, pace. solo with 12.5km left. all this year. he was congratulated by his det, who dropped out of over- only the final sprint being respectively. First of many He never looked back and Bernal, who will also win team-mate and 2018 cham- all contention early in the contested. Alaphilippe cracked with The Dutchman’s Lotto held off world champion Ale- the white jersey for the best pion Thomas. Asked what race, is set to snatch the polka Bernal, who claimed the 14km to go in the final 33-km Jumbo-Visma team set a high jandro Valverde, who took Under-25 rider in the race, words he used, Thomas re- dot jersey for the mountain yellow jersey when he was climb ending 2,365 metres pace at the foot of the climb to second place 10 seconds be- crossed the line 17 seconds plied: “I said to him, ‘Just en- classification and Peter Sagan the first at top of the Col de above sea level and slipped Val Thorens and Laurens De hind with his Movistar team off the pace to Thomas’s ac- joy it. Soak it all up. And don’t is expected to win a record l’Iseran in Saturday’s truncat- from second to fifth overall. Plus stepped up a gear to trim mate and fellow Spaniard colade. worry about crying, because seventh green jersey for the ed 19th stage, was never both- Bernal is 1:11 ahead of the peloton as the breakaway Mikel Landa finishing third. In the absence of four- all real men cry.’” points classification.

England include Abdulla reduces gap on T3 Archer for Bernal’s hometown Ashes opener AFP erupts with pride series leaders in Baja Spain LONDON REUTERS eos rider finished fourth in the TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK hind him in the dust to the UNCAPPED fast bowler Jofra ZIPAQUIRA (COLOMBIA) stage won by 2014 champion DOHA end of the stage. It was worse Archer has been included in Vicenzo Nibali and will be- today. England’s 14-man squad an- EGAN Bernal’s childhood cy- come the youngest Tour win- QATAR’S Adel Abdulla re- “I pushed more on the last nounced Saturday for next cling coach Fabio Rodriguez ner for 110 years once he has mains firmly in contention stage. Michele Cinotto was week’s Ashes opener against always recognised him as a fine negotiated the final, largely to challenge for the FIA T3 in front of me in the stage. I Australia, with all-rounder prospect but he never imag- processional stage into Paris title at the halfway stage of caught him after about 50km Ben Stokes re-appointed as ined his young student would on Sunday. the 2019 FIA World Cup for and I lost even more time until vice-captain. one day be poised to claim vic- “It’s as though I raised him, Cross-Country Bajas, after I took risks to get closer to him The pair both enjoyed star- tory in the greatest race of all, in the sense of preparing him guiding his Can-Am Maverick and he gave way. I lost more ring roles in England’s stun- the Tour de France. to handle it, to be able to man- X3 to fourth position in Baja time. I pushed to the end and ning World Cup final win over Rodriguez, who first met age the physical pressure,” said Spain Aragón on Saturday. we managed to get 12 points New Zealand at Lord’s on July Bernal when the climbing phe- Rodriguez, who encouraged Holding fourth in the here. Now I look to do some- 14, with all-rounder Stokes en- nomenon was just eight years Bernal’s father to get his son category for modified cross- thing even better on the next suring England drew level with old, watched the Tour’s penul- into training. country vehicles at the night race.” the Black Caps total in regula- timate stage on Saturday with a Rodriguez’s current stu- halt, the former FIA T2 World After finishing the opening tion play before Archer bowled crowd of hundreds in the town dents, who arrived on their bi- Champion settled into a com- stage in fourth place on Fri- the decisive Super Over that square of Zipaquira, the small cycles to watch, follow Bernal petitive pace over the remain- Qatar’s Adel Abdulla charges through the stage four in the Rally Baja day, Adel stayed firmly in con- sealed victory. city nestled in Colombia’s An- obsessively and had the chance ing two sections to stay well Aragon on Saturday. tention for victory through the Archer, 24, who only be- des where Bernal was raised. to meet the cyclist when he vis- clear of his rivals and keep the second special where Navarro came England qualified earlier “I knew he was really good, ited in December. pressure on the leading trio, fifth and seventh positions, the problem with the flat tyre on moved in front of Dorosinskiy this year, could now make his talented, but I didn’t know that Colombian riders, accus- despite losing time in the dust chasing pack have bunched up Friday, we dropped to 30th in the overall standings and Test debut when the first of a he could be where he is now,” tomed to the thin air and steep of several slower vehicles who considerably to set up a grand- or 31st overall and that made Farrés slipped to third. five-match series starts at Edg- the emotional Rodriguez said, slopes of the Andes, have a were in his path, according to stand finish to the T3 contest everything worse because you Navarro confirmed the win baston on August 1. as enthusiastic locals gathered long, proud tradition of being reports from Teruel. at the remaining four rounds are starting behind slower by just five seconds, despite Since making his senior de- despite an early morning chill. competitive on the Tour. Spaniard Santiago Nav- in Hungary, Poland, Jordan drivers and you start to pass a late charge by Dorosinskiy, but in 2016, Archer has taken “You don’t ever imagine Rigoberto Uran and Nairo arro claimed outright victory and Portugal. Adel now trails a lot of drivers. Some of them and fourth on the final stage 131 wickets in 28 first-class that he could become the best Quintana came in seventh and over Russian Aleksandr Dor- the series leader by 17 points, make you late. was sufficient for Adel to earn matches at an average of 23.44. in the world.” eighth on Saturday. Quintana, osinskiy by the margin of just having arrived in Teruel 19 “Then I caught one driver 12 valuable championship Stokes was restored to his Bernal is set to be the first a Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a Es- five seconds with Spanish for- points in arrears. towards the middle of the points to take into the halfway position as Joe Root’s deputy Colombian to win the Tour, af- pana champion, had previously mer enduro rider Gerard Far- Adel is running a Can-Am stage and he did not want to stage of the Baja season. after being stripped of the vice- ter he retained the overall lead finished runner-up in the Tour rés in third place. prepared by the FN Speed move over. We arrived at the Action in the FIA World captaincy following a late night in Saturday’s 20th stage, a 59- in 2013 and 2015. But, with series leader Team with support from passage control together and I Cup for Cross-Country Bajas brawl in September 2017. He km ride from Albertville to Val The race is just Bernal’s Michele Cinotto and rival Fe- Ooredoo. At the finish in Ter- thought he would let me pass, resumes with the fifth round was subsequently cleared on a Thorens. second Grand Tour, after fin- dor Vorobyev only finishing in uel, he said: “Because of the but he didn’t. I continued be- in Hungary in early August. charge of affray last year. The 22-year-old Team In- ishing 15th last year.