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SUNDAY 20 DECEMBER 2020 IndiaI crumble to record low as qquicks fire Australia to victory We were expecting a real dogfight right to the end, late day ffour, maybe day five in this Test. Again, it shows the talent we haveh with the ball and when our boys execute, and there’s aanything in the , that’s what can happen.

Australia Test Sport |06

QATAR SENIOR MEN'S BASKETBALL LEAGUE: Al Shamal beat Al Ahli 86-85; Qatar Sports Club beat Al Rayyan Sports Club 80-69 FIFA World Cup winner with France replaces Diego Aguirre QSL: Blanc joins Al Rayyan as coach THE PENINSULA – DOHA Al Rayyan's new French coach Laurent Blanc receiving a team jersey from LAURENT BLANC Al Rayyan fans always want Sheikh Ali bin Saud Al Thani yesterday. FIFA World Cup winner with France victories and this is my goal Full name: Laurent Robert Blanc Laurent Blanc was yesterday unveiled Date of birth: November 19, 1965 (age as new coach of Al Rayyan. with the team - which is to get 55) in Alès, France The former France team coach the victories that the fans want Playing position: Defender finalised an 18-month contract to end to see: Laurent Blanc a four-year wait as a coach. Current team: Al Rayyan (Coach) Blanc was given a club jersey in the Youth career presence of Sheikh Ali bin Saud Al 1981–1983 Montpellier Thani, Chairman of the Club, and Ali them like Yacine Brahimi, whom he Senior career Salem Afifa, Vice President of the Club. wanted to sign during his time with the Years Team Apps (Gls) Sheikh Ali said in a Twitter post French giants. 1983–1991 Montpellier 243 (76) released by the club: “Laurent Blanc is “I will work with the players who 1991–1992 Napoli 31 (6) a great addition to Al Rayyan and are currently trying return the team to 1992–1993 Nîmes 29 (1) Qatari football. He is a worldclass top of the points table,” he was quoted 1993–1995 Saint-Étienne 70 (18) coach and a big name in world football. as saying in a tweet posted on the club’s 1995–1996 Auxerre 23 (2) 1996–1997 Barcelona 28 (1) We wish him success with the team Twitter handle. 1997–1999 Marseille 63 (14) during the next stage of our league.” The 55-year-old Frenchman 1999–2001 Inter Milan 67 (6) Blanc said during the unveiling replaced Diego Aguirre who 2001–2003 Man United 48 (1) press conference yesterday that he has announced last month he wanted to Total 602 (125) ‘big goals with Al Rayyan’ and is leave the club for personal reasons. National team looking forward to achieving the hopes The former coach of French giants 1989–2000 France 97 (16) and aspirations of the club’s fans in the PSG team will lead the side for their TEAMS MANAGED coming period. next QNB Stars League clash against 2007–2010 Bordeaux “Al Rayyan fans always want vic- Al Sadd, the new Amir Cup champions 2010–2012 France tories and this is my goal with the team on Wednesday. Al Sadd are coached 2013–2016 Paris Saint-Germain - which is to get victories that the fans by . moved to PSG (2013-2016) before Last week leaders Al Sadd widened 2020 Al Rayyan want to see,” Blanc said yesterday. The popular 1998 World Cup taking a break. their gap on top of the table to six HONOURS He pointed out that he has followed winner had been without a club for Under Blanc, France won 16 of 27 points following their 4-1 victory Representing France (as player) the Qatari league since he was more than four years. His last matches. PSG played 173 Ligue 1 Al Gharafa in the week’s marquee FIFA World Cup: Winner - 1998 coaching PSG, due to the strong ties assignment was with PSG who beat matches under Blanc. clash. UEFA European Championship between France and Qatar. Marseille (4-2) in 2016. Al Rayyan are currently in sixth The Wolves now have 25 points Winner - 2000 He said he is familiar with Al Blanc launched his coaching career spot on the QNB Stars League points withy eight victories and a draw, and European U-21 Championship Rayyan players and knows some of with Bordeaux (2007-2010) and then table. are still the only unbeaten team. Winner 1988 Messi equals Junior powers Ulsan to ACL Pele’s record title win in Doha blockbuster of goals for a REUTERS – DOHA single club

Junior Negrao scored twice as South AFP – MADRID Korea’s Ulsan Hyundai came from a goal behind to win the Asian Champions Lionel Messi scored his League final with a 2-1 victory over 643rd goal for Barcelona Persepolis of in Doha yesterday. yesterday to equal Pele’s A pair of VAR-awarded penalties record of goals for a single swung the game in Ulsan’s favour either Ulsan’s midfielder Yun Bit-Garam receiving club as the Spanish giants side of halftime after gave the Most Valuable Player trophy from Qatar were held 2-2 by Valencia. Persepolis the lead against the run of Football Association President Sheikh Messi headed in from play in the 45th minute. Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani. Jordi Alba’s cross after his Junior’s initial spot kick in first-half first-half penalty was saved added time was saved by The Qatari official was back at the to equal the mark set by the before the Brazilian netted the rebound pitch-side monitor early in the second Brazilian great for Santos. and he made no mistake with his second half to again award Ulsan a penalty, this But Messi was left frus- effort 10 minutes after the break to give time when Mehdi Shiri had unneces- trated as a dogged Valencia Ulsan their first Asian title since 2012. sarily raised his hand to meet Lee forced a draw that leaves Ulsan dictated play for most of the Chung-yong’s swinging cross from the Barcelona eight points first period without creating much in the right. behind leaders Atletico way of clear-cut chances. Lak was unable to get a hand on the Madrid, who beat Elche 3-1 Junior twice headed over from ball this time as Junior sent him the earlier in the day. central positions while Ulsan’s Yoon Bit- wrong the way to put Ulsan in front with Barcelona started garam went closest to opening the a firm strike to the keeper’s left. slowly and went a goal scoring with a shot that clipped the FIFA President Gianni Infantino and AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa Persepolis threw everyone forward behind to Mouctar Dia- outside of Lak’s left post. presenting the winners’ trophy to Ulsan Hyundai after the South Koreans won the AFC in the dying minutes as they sought to khaby’s unchallenged As a result, Persepolis were left to try Champions League final against Iran’s Persepolis at Al Janoub Stadium, yesterday. erase memories of their defeat in the header from a corner after to catch the South Koreans on the break decider two years ago, but their efforts half an hour. and, after several lacklustre attempts, to his right, going in off the inside of the awarded to the 2012 winners. While Jun- were in vain. Antoine Griezmann they took the lead in the 45th minute post. The Persepolis lead, though, was ior’s initial effort was saved by Lak, the The final, played at Doha’s Al Janoub earned the penalty that led through Abdi. fleeting as Ulsan were awarded a penalty Brazilian coolly converted the rebound. Stadium in front of a crowd of socially to Messi’s record-equalling The youngster, drafted into the team following the intervention of VAR. distanced fans, was the conclusion of a goal when the Frenchman for banned striker Issa Alekasir, forced Referee Abdulrahman Al Jassim ini- tournament that has been largely played was nudged over by Jose the Ulsan defence to back pedal before tially missed Yoon being upended in a bio-secure bubble in Qatar due to Gaya. hitting a low shot that flew through Davy by but a the impact of the COVID-19 Messi’s spot-kick was Bulthuis’ legs and beat keeper Jo Su-huk review saw a penalty pandemic. saved by Jaume Domenech but the ball rebounded and from Alba’s dinked cross, the Argentine headed the ball into the net to draw level with Pele. Barcelona went ahead thanks to a superb scissor kick from Uruguayan Ronald Araujo. But Valencia’s pressure was rewarded when Maxi Gomez got in front of Barca central defender Oscar Mingueza to turn in a cross and equalise. Philippe Coutinho drove a shot just wide with 12 minutes remaining and Messi curled a free- kick wide but Barcelona were forced to share the points. Sport SUNDAY 20 DECEMBER 2020 06 India crumble to record low as When it’s Tiger Woods, the son quicks fire Australia to victory becomes more REUTERS - ADELAIDE than their famous than dad Australia crushed India by eight inside three days of the LOWEST INNINGS TOTALS AP - ORLANDO, FLA first Test at Adelaide Oval IN yesterday, skittling the tourists Padraig Harrington and Tiger Woods turned pro about the for their lowest innings score in same time and have played in some 170 tournaments 88 years of Test cricket and 26_New Zealand vs. England around the world together. That gave Harrington enough taking a 1-0 lead in the four- In Auckland, 1955 experience to speak to what he saw at the PNC Champi- match series. 30_South Africa vs. England onship. (5-8) and Pat In Port Elizabeth, 1896 “This is the first tournament I’ve ever played in that Cummins (4-21) turned a tight Tiger Woods is playing in that he’s not the star of the show,” day-night Test on its head in a 30_South Africa vs. England Harrington said Friday. “He should know that himself. He devastating spell of pace In Birmingham, 1924 ain’t the star of the show this week, and that’s very much to open the day, ripping through 35_South Africa vs. England amongst the players. Everybody is stopping to watch the much-vaunted Indian In Cape Town, 1899 Charlie.” line-up in less than two hours to That would be Charlie Woods, the 11-year-old son of dismiss the tourists for 36. 36_South Africa vs. Australia the 15-time major champion. Australia’s batsmen, playing In Melbourne, 1932 Alastair Johnston, the vice chairman at IMG, came up without pressure, chased down 36_Australia vs. England with the concept of this tournament 25 years ago as a the victory target of 90 runs with In Birmingham, 1902 36-hole event in which TV viewers would want to see major some ease, opener Joe Burns champions play alongside their sons and daughters. As giving his confidence a much- 36_India vs. Australia much as the Hall of Fame players were already on TV, he needed boost with an unbeaten In Adelaide, 2020 figured most of the curiosity would be on the children. 51 that included the six which 38_Ireland vs. England That’s never been more true. secured victory. In London, 2019 It helped that a video on social media last year showed If the tourists were Charlie’s smooth swing on the range at a junior tournament, shellshocked, the hosts were also along with him winning a few tournaments. Plus, he’s the India’s walks off after being dismissed by Australia on the third day of the first cricket Test match taken aback by a turn of events son of Tiger Woods. between Australia and India played in Adelaide yesterday. which few would have predicted “It’s amazing the buzz it’s created,” Harrington said. when India came out to bat with “That sums up the PNC Championship. There’s so many a 62-run lead and nine second- previous low of 42 against Hazlewood later removed Australia’s record in day-night nice stories.” innings wickets in hand. England at Lords in 1974. Only Wriddhiman Saha and Ravi- tests to 8-0 after their first Harrington is playing with his 17-year-old son, Paddy, “We were expecting a real two countries have managed chandran Ashwin in successive meeting with India under the who is more into rugby and whose sole mission this week dogfight right to the end, late day fewer runs in the long history of balls and even though he was lights, but victory had not is to hit at least one drive past his father, a three-time major four, maybe day five in this Test,” the format. denied a hat-trick, the big looked by any means certain champion and Europe’s Ryder Cup captain. said Australia skipper Tim Paine. “It’s very hard to put (my) paceman bagged his eighth Test even as recently as Friday Mark Calcavecchia, the 1989 British Open champion, “Again, it shows the talent we feelings into words. We had a five-wicket haul in his next over afternoon. is playing for the first time with his son, Eric. Calcavec- have with the ball and when our lead of 60 when we arrived today when he sent back Hanuma Paine was named Player of chia’s wife caddies for him, and his daughter will caddie boys execute, and there’s any- and just collapsed completely,” Vihari caught behind. the Match for his unbeaten 73 on for his son. It’s a family affair. thing in the wicket, that’s what said Kohli, who lost for the first The tourists will be without Friday that helped Australia stay Even so, this cozy event in the holiday season has come can happen.” time in 26 Tests where he had Kohli’s leadership for the in touch with India’s first-innings to life with Woods playing for the first time. The margin of victory will be won the toss. remaining tests in Melbourne, tally of 244 by scratching their Harrington said he has stopped to watch three swings a hefty blow to India’s morale as “When you work hard for Sydney and Brisbane as the way to 191. on the range this week. One belongs to 85-year-old Gary well as their hopes of repeating two days... to get yourself in a skipper returns home for the The decision to look past Player. Another is Lee Trevino, who at 81 can still shape it. their maiden Test series triumph good position and then literally birth of his first child, but they Cummins and Hazlewood might The third is an 11-year-old. in Australia two years ago. in an hour, you put yourself in a will also be sweating on the have been a case of not being “It’s like, ‘Move out of the way, Tiger, let us see,’” Har- None of India’s batsmen, position where it’s impossible to fitness of . able to choose between them rington said. “He looks like he’s a player,” Harrington said. including the prolific Virat Kohli win, it really hurts.” The paceman took a blow after what the former thought “He looks like he’s enjoying it. He looks like he loves the and stalwart , That turnaround was down to the forearm from a short was up there with the very best game. It’s great to see.” managed to get into double simply to the irresistible bowling Cummins and was outings for Australia’s pace unit That’s what stood out, and what Harrington said was figures -- only the second time of Cummins and Hazlewood, unable to bat on, bringing a pre- in recent years. all that mattered. He feels the same way about his own son. that has happened to any team who in one early spell combined mature end to India’s dismal “It was just one of those days He doesn’t expect Paddy to chase a career in golf. His hope in a test match. Their innings to take four wickets for no runs innings when he retired hurt where everything came off, eve- is a bonding moment - not so much between father and score of 36 was the lowest in 544 over 29 balls, delighting a socially and headed off to hospital for rything we tried worked,” he son, but between the son of a major champion and the Tests going back to 1932, worse distanced crowd of 15,026. scans. The win extended said. sport itself. “I want him to love the game of golf so that he’s playing at 85 like Gary Player,” Harrington said. SCOREBOARD That would appear to be the case with Woods and his INDIA, first innings 244 son. Woods used some form of the word “enjoy” more than Indian press and ex-players (V. Kohli 74, C. Pujara 43, A. Rahane 42; M. Starc a dozen times when he spoke to reporters on Thursday. 4-53, P. Cummins 3-48) His son loves to compete. He loves the needle. And he’s AUSTRALIA, 1st innings 191 having fun. rue ‘massacre’ in Australia (T. Paine 73 no, M. Labuschagne 47; R. Ashwin There’s still a winner in the scramble format at The 4-55, U. Yadav 3-40) Ritz-Carlton Club Grande Lakes. Bernhard Langer is the INDIA, 2nd innings (overnight 9-1) AFP - NEW DELHI defending champion and he intended to bring his son, Jason, P. Shaw b Cummins ...... 4 M. Agarwal c Paine b Hazlewood ...... 9 back to defend. Turns out Jason was playing tennis recently The Indian press and former J. Bumrah c & b Cummins ...... 2 and hurt his back, so Langer has daughter Jackie at his side. players savaged the national C. Pujara c Paine b Cummins ...... 0 Harrington has no idea what the future in golf holds cricket team yesterday after V. Kohli c Green b Cummins ...... 4 for Charlie Woods, though he figures it won’t be easy if the they slumped to their lowest- A. Rahane c Paine b Hazlewood ...... 0 kid decides to take after his father. Golf doesn’t have much ever score in a “humiliating” and H. Vihari c Paine b Hazlewood ...... 8 history of sons being as successful as their fathers, not since “jaw-dropping” Test defeat in W. Saha c Labuschagne b Hazlewood ...4 the days of Old Tom Morris and Young Tom Morris. Australia. R. Ashwin c Paine b Hazlewood ...... 0 Harrington figures someone will comment that the son India were bundled out for U. Yadav ...... 4 is not as good as the father, and if he chooses golf and plays 36 in the second innings of the M. Shami retired hurt ...... 1 well, then it’s to be expected given his stock. first Test in Adelaide as Aus- Extras 0 “As if it doesn’t take any work,” Harrington said. Total (nine wickets, 21.1 overs) 36 tralian pacemen Josh Hazlewood Fall of wickets: 1-7 (Shaw), 2-15 (Bumrah), 3-15 This isn’t limited to golf. Harrington says any child of and put the vis- (Pujara), 4-15 (Agarwal), 5-15 (Rahane), 6-19 successful parents faces those expectations. itors to the sword. (Kohli), 7-26 (Saha), 8-26 (Ashwin), 9-31 (Vihari), “Most successful sports people come from a tougher In cricket-crazy India, The 9-36 (Shami - retired hurt) background because they don’t have options,” Harrington Times of India dubbed the per- Bowling: Starc 6-3-7-0, Cummins 10.2-4-21-4, said. “If it’s a bad day... what do you do the next day? You formance and the defeat -- the Hazlewood 5-3-8-5 get up and start practicing. If you have a bad day and you hosts cruised to an eight-wicket Australia 2nd innings get up the next day and your dad can give you a job, that victory on just the third day -- J. Burns not out ...... 51 makes it harder to go practice.” the “massacre in Adelaide”. M. Wade ...... 33 He said most of the Irish players have fathers who were “India did almost everything M. Labuschagne c Agarwal b Ashwin ....6 barmen. His father was a policeman. S. Smith not out ...... 1 right on Day 2,” the paper said. Extras (lb1, nb1) ...... 2 “It’s really tough to make it if you have options,” he “Day 3 however saw the Aussie Total (2 wickets, overs 21) ...... 93 said. “It will be tougher for Charlie.” fast bowlers especially Josh Did not bat: , Cameron Green, Tim But that’s another development for another day. Not Hazlewood and Pat Cummins Paine (capt), Pat Cummins, , Nathan even Woods knows what his son will do, and he said it come out with a vengeance.” Lyon, Josh Hazlewood doesn’t matter to him as long as he enjoys it. And that’s The Indian batting per- Fall of wicket: 1-70 (Wade), 2-82 (Labuschagne) what Harrington observed, along with the kid’s swing. formance -- no player even Bowling: Bumrah 7-1-27-0, Yadev 8-1-49-0, Ash- “He loves it,” Harrington said. reached double figures -- was a win 6-1-16-1 “jaw-dropping act of meek sur- Result: Australia won by eight wickets Tiger Woods of the US, his render,” the paper said, calling son and playing partner Hazlewood with his stellar have struggled against Australia’s Charlie Woods walk during figures of five for eight the “simply superb” bowling attack. the pro-am prior to the “wrecker-in-chief”. Australia’s (left) talks with India’s Virat Kohli on the “I mean, any team that is PNC Championship at The Indian Express won- third day of the first cricket Test match between Australia and India all-out for its lowest Test score the Ritz-Carlton Golf dered if the “summer of 36” was in Adelaide yesterday. since the time it started playing Club Orlando in “Indian cricket’s lowest point”, cricket, that’s never good to see,” Orlando, Florida. adding tongue-in-cheek that the Indian media quoted Gavaskar as players had at least “buried the Indian skipper is now returning selector, was similarly telling Channel 7. ghost” of 1974, when the pre- home to be with his Bollywood unforgiving. “But having said that, if any vious record low of 42 was set. star wife for the birth of their “All the hard work done by other team had been facing that Forty-six years ago when India first child. india in the 1st innings lost by kind of bowling, they would have were thrashed by England at Former India great Sachin pretty pathetic batting in a span also got out.” Lord’s, that innings at least saw Tendulkar was gracious about of 20 overs! Congrats @Crick- Australian spin legend Shane one player -- Eknath Solkar the defeat, congratulating the etAus,” Srikkanth tweeted. Warne hailed the “outstanding” making 18 not out -- reach Australians. “Time for our boys to dig bowling. “Have to feel for the double figures, the paper “With the way India batted deep and put a decent total on Indian batsman as never saw that recalled. & bowled in the 1st innings, they the board for our bowlers!” coming - it was one of those days The Republic TV channel on were in the driver’s seat, but the Parthiv Patel, another where the batsman nicked eve- its website called the batting Aussies came back really hard former player, called it “India’s rything & didn’t play and miss at performance “humiliating”, this morning,” he tweeted. most shameful performance”. all ! Unbelievable,” Warne with the middle order of Former India pacer Irfan “Players like Virat Kohli, tweeted. Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli Pathan said though he was “very Hanuma Vihari, Ajinkya Rahane, Former England captain and Ajinkya Rahane “badly disappointed”, adding: “We all have all played on the biggest of Michael Vaughan was having exposed”. expect the Indian team to play stages, “ Patel told Cricbuzz. none of it. “Told ya... India are Virat Kohli said he was con- better cricket.” Indian batting great Sunil going to get hammered in the Test fident that the team would Kris Srikkanth, a former Gavaskar defended Kohli’s men, Series... #AUSvIND #4-0,” he bounce back, but the talismanic India opener, captain and saying that any batting side would tweeted. SUNDAY 20 DECEMBER 2020 SPORT 07

20TH RACE MEETING - QATAR DERBY FESTIVAL: WINNERS SAWDA NATHEEL STAKES (Fillies & Mares)(Class 2) QATAR OAKS (F) (QA Gr 3) Unbutton (GB), Gassim Mohammad Ghazali, Marco Casamento Winning horse: Glitter Queen (GB), Trainer: Hamad Ahmed Al LOCAL PUREBRED ARABIAN PLATE (3 Year Old Fillies) Malki Al Jehani, Horse: Ronan Thomas Alf Lyla (QA), Julian Colin Smart, Tomas Lukasek AL RAYYAN STAKES PUREBRED ARABIAN PLATE (3 Year Old Fillies) Soldierpoy (GB), Mohammed Hussain Afroz, Julien Augé Muqla (FR), Alban Elie Marie De Mieulle, Ronan Thomas QATAR OAKS (F) PUREBRED ARABIAN HANDICAP Al Efreeta (FR), Alban Elie Marie De Mieulle, Ronan Thomas Mkayns (FR), Alban Elie Marie De Mieulle, Ali Khalid Al Mosallam QATAR OAKS (F) LOCAL THOROUGHBRED MAIDEN PLATE Al Khisah (QA), Alban Elie Marie De Mieulle, Ronan Thomas Qatar Gold (QA), Gassim Mohammad Ghazali, Marco Casamento Glitter Queen, Soldierpoy victorious

THE PENINSULA – DOHA Thomas raced his fourth winner Earlier, Sheail bin Khalifa Al responded, surging forward and Hamad bin Abdulrahman Al Attiyah, of the day to consolidate his top Kuwari’s Soldierpoy had shown building a healthy lead, even- President of Qatar and Asian Equestrian Faleh Suwayed Al Ajami’s spot in the jockeys’ standings. promise with two Class 2 wins tually winning by four and a half Federations, presenting the winner's trophy Glitter Queen brushed aside a Thomas had his mount stay on in his first two starts in Qatar, lengths. to team Glitter Queen's representative. forgettable Guineas outing the rails midfield early on the last one being a month ago Among the other winners from a month ago to race to a before dropping back in the over seven furlongs. yesterday were Abdulhadi Mana smashing victory in the Qatar order briefly. Yesterday, the bay horse Al Hajri’s Jimmy Sparks, Al Oaks (F) (QA Gr 3) (Far Bend) However, coming off the landed the Al Rayyan Stakes Shaqab Racing’s Al Efreeta, (3yo TB) as the Qatar Interna- bend, Glitter Queen upped the (Far Bend) (2yo Thoroughbreds) Umm Qarn’s Al Khisah, Al tional Derby Festival kicked off pace and surged forward to win to complete a hat-trick at Al Kuwari’s Unbutton , Al Shahania in glamorous fashion at Al by two and three quarters Rayyan Park. Stud’s Alf Lyla, Umm Qarn’s Rayyan Park turf yesterday. lengths in front of Hassan Ali With French star jockey Muqla, Al Shaqab Racing’s Hamad Ahmed Al Malki Al Alabdulmalik’s She’s Our Queen, Julien Auge astride, the Mkayns and Jassem Mohammed Jehani trained filly had finished ridden by Faleh Bughanaim for Mohammed Hussain Afroz Al Badi’s Qatar Gold. 10th over a mile in the Gr 3 Deborah Amanda Clare saddled gelding started the Hamad bin Abdulrahman Al Guineas after a promising third Mountain. Gassim Mohammad packed 16-strong C&D run from Attiyah, President of Qatar and in the Oaks Trial earlier in Ghazali trained Forced was Gate 2, and tracked the leaders Asian Equestrian Federations, November. Yesterday's step up ridden to third by Marco Casa- early on. Coming off the bend, and Iraq’s Minister of Youth and in distance to 2000m, however, mento in the colours of Meshaal Auge gave his mount the go Sports, H E Adnan Dirjal, did not seem daunting as Ronan bin Ali Al Attiyah. ahead and Soldierpoy crowned the winners. Qatar's Ballan relishes return of action AFC – DOHA Deputy Chairman of the Of course, it’s not easy to be Referees Committee at in a bubble-to-bubble bio-frame No football player, club or asso- AFC, Hani Taleb Ballan but again and again, our referees ciation emerged from 2020 have taken this big responsi- without feeling the impact of the bility. They have sacrificed a lot COVID-19 pandemic, and Asia’s to bring football back to life in elite referees have also been Asia. forced to adapt to what quickly I would like really to thank became the new normal. all the referees for their com- From their own domestic mitment. I would like to show my competitions to the AFC Cham- appreciation for all their com- pions League (ACL), the Conti- mitment, for all the rigorous nent’s match officials have shown work they have done and their Hamilton diligence and professionalism discipline throughout the bubble- and played a key role in keeping to-bubble bio-framework. the game alive during the most They have taken it seriously, wins big at difficult of circumstances. of course there is pressure, but During an interview with the this is what refereeing is all virtual FIA Asian Football Confederation, about, making the right deci- the Referees Committee Deputy sions under pressure, and I’m Chairperson of the continental of Qatar, working together with tool that can help the referees to completed a virtual training for very proud of our referees, prizegiving body, Hani Taleb Ballan shared the AFC, we have concluded the take a really critical decision four days for all the referees to because they have done this. his thoughts on the ACL, VAR competition in the West, and now which they cannot see on the refresh them again, to simulate REUTERS – LONDON and how Asia’s refereeing fra- we will soon complete the com- field of play. It adds fairness to situations, basically to train them AFC: This competition has ternity has navigated a year of petition as a whole. So, thanks the game, it adds integrity to the on the line of interventions. This taken place in three stadiums Seven times world champion unprecedented challenges. very much to Qatar and the AFC game and also it adds value, for four-day cause in August was which will be used for the 2022 Lewis Hamilton was the big for their efforts to conclude the using such an advanced tech- very important. FIFA World Cup. Do you think winner as Formula One’s AFC: After what has been a competition. nology, in AFC competitions, We have also, since March, the referees have felt an extra governing body conducted its tremendously difficult year which will help to make the established a training panel – motivation to perhaps return annual awards ceremony by around the world, how pleased AFC: After its successful competitions as successful as our educator panel - that again here for that competition in two video conferencing due to the are you to see your country, implementation at the national possible. and again, every week, get in years’ time? COVID-19 pandemic. Qatar, playing such a big role team level, the 2020 AFC touch with the referees, simulate Ballan: In the West and East, The Mercedes driver was in facilitating the successful Champions League sees VAR AFC: What steps have been situations with referees and train we have concluded the potential voted Personality of the Year completion of the 2020 AFC (Video Assistant Referee) being undertaken to prepare the ref- the referees online, so they can candidates for the Qatar World by permanently accredited Champions League? used for the first time in an AFC erees for the use of VAR in the always be ready, mentally and Cup in 2022, and for our referees media and also received a joint Ballan: Of course, it’s a great club competition. As a former AFC Champions League? knowledge wise, for the to be able to touch base with FIA President Award with feeling for everybody and all referee, how important do you Ballan: Of course, the use of competitions. three stadiums that I would say Ferrari great Michael Schu- those football lovers, those who think it is to have this additional VAR has to follow a systematic are world-class stadiums – Edu- macher, the only other seven are passionate about football in tool in modern football? process. Rigorous training has AFC: Due to the pandemic, cation City Stadium, Khalifa times champion, on Friday. Asia, to see football coming back Ballan: The VAR is a very been done in preparing the ref- the players in this tournament Stadium and Al Janoub Stadium In addition, Hamilton to life again, and for the most important tool that will assist erees and all the video match have been staying in a bio- – which will be used in the received the Automobile Club prestigious club competition to and help the referees to make officials who are participating secure bubble, but so have the World Cup, I can feel the inspi- d’Italia (ACI) Trophy as highest be concluded in Qatar. the correct decision, when in our competitions in the AFC. referees. How do you think the ration that refereeing in these points scorer from an unprec- When the pandemic started needed. Of course, we have This training was done by referees have dealt with this stadiums has given our edented three Formula One all sport activities, in some coun- started using the VAR in the AFC having seminars in KL before the new way of life? referees. races held in Italy. tries, were put on hold, and in in national team competitions. pandemic, and then, when the Ballan: As we all know, the Although we have had no The 35-year-old Briton some countries, they were ter- We used it in the Asian Cup in pandemic started, we have con- pandemic has affected everyone spectators, this has simulated won at Imola and Mugello and minated, but it was very 2019, and again for the AFC U23 tinued taking this responsibility around the world. It has affected refereeing on the pitch on a placed seventh at Monza, important to resume the most (Championship) in Thailand in of exchanging the knowledge of footballers, businesses, and ref- World Cup stadium, and it is an setting the fastest laps at all prestigious AFC competition. 2020 and we have started using the referees and preparing them erees are human, they are also inspiration for all of them. It three circuits. The only way to conclude it in our club competitions from for such a tournament like the affected, but we ask the referees, gives them, I would say, an extra Hamilton took his career this competition was with a cen- the quarter-final round. West and the East (AFC Cham- always, to do even more than drive, that they would like to be tally to a record 95 wins that, tralised venue. Thanks to the help It’s an important tool, it is a pions League). In August, we’ve what is expected. back here in 2022. combined with his record- equalling seven titles, made him the most successful F1 driver of all time. Liverpool crush Palace 7-0 to set record Suarez double fires Atletico Bahrain Grand Prix mar- shals and the medical car team AFP – LONDON Liverpool built on the momentum of a last- clear at La Liga summit of Ian Roberts and Alan van minute winner that beat second-placed Tot- der Merwe also received an Liverpool ended a three-month wait for an away tenham in midweek as Roberto Firmino and AFP – MADRID FIA President’s award for win in the Premier League in record fashion with Mohamed Salah scored twice at Selhurst Park, helping French driver Romain a 7-0 thrashing of Crystal Palace yesterday to while Takumi Minamino, Sadio Mane and Jordan Luis Suarez scored twice from close range in a 3-1 victory Grosjean escape from a fireball move six points clear at the top of the table. Henderson also netted. for Atletico Madrid against Elche yesterday to move Diego after his car penetrated a The English champions’ first ever away win Victory ensured Liverpool will lead the league Simeone’s side three points clear at the top of La Liga. barrier and split in two. in the top-flight by seven goals laid down a at Christmas for a third successive season and, In a tight first half at the Wanda Metropolitano, Atletico Japan’s Yuki Tsunoda, marker for the challengers hoping to dethrone on this evidence, will take some catching in the wasted a clear chance to take the lead when France forward who is graduating to Formula Jurgen Klopp’s men. new year. Thomas Lemar drove the ball straight at Elche ‘keeper Edgar One with AlphaTauri next Badia as the defence opened up. year, was named Rookie of the Suarez was far more clinical in the 41st minute as the Year while fans voted Alfa Uruguay forward got the slightest of touches to steer Kieran Romeo’s Kimi Raikkonen Trippier’s cross past Badia to take the lead. winner of the Action of the The former Barcelona and Liverpool attacker then Year. stretched to poke the lively Yannick Carrasco’s pass into “2020 has been an unprec- the net in the 58th minute. edented year and it’s Lucas Boye’s powerful header gave Elche hope in the remarkable to be here and to second half but substitute Diego Costa, who has not hidden be able to honour our cham- his frustration at being relegated to the bench since Sua- pions,” commented FIA Pres- rez’s arrival, fired in a penalty with ten minutes remaining ident Jean Todt. to wrap up the three points for Atletico. “The most important thing “I’m very happy to be able to play again,” Costa told Mov- is that, through creativity and istar after the game. resourcefulness, we have been “I have taken some hard blows but I always pick myself able to organize champion- Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah (left) scores his team’s seventh goal. up again. It’s hasn’t been easy but I have enough strength to ships - and we have cham- fight.” pions to celebrate.”