14 Monday, January 6, 2020 Sports Qatar U-23 prepare for Thailand 2020 opener Al Duhail close to sealing move for Juve’s North Korean striker TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK DOHA AL Duhail are close to secur- ing North Korean striker Han Kwang-song from Juventus according to reports in the Italian media. The 21-year-old became the first North Korean to play in the Italian Serie A in 2017 when he played for Cagliari against Torino. Han secured a two-year loan move to Juven- tus last summer and has been playing for the Old Lady’s North Korea and Juventus striker Han Kwang-Song Qatar Olympic football team during a training session in preparation for the U-23 Asian Cup to be held in Thailand from January 8 to 26. It is youth team in Serie C. also a qualifying tournament for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Qatar are in Group B alongside Japan, Saudi Arabia and Syria. Qatar begin their If the moves goes through, from Juventus. Al Duhail are is rumoured to be on his way campaign on Thursday against Syria at the Thammasat Stadium in the city of Rangsit, Pathum Thani. he will join Mario Mandzukic expected to be without Qatar to a Euripean club this Janu- who recently joined Al Duhail international Almoez Ali who ary. Al Sadd look to Liverpool sink Everton, find winning touch Lucas rescues Spurs in ‘Doha Derby’ TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK to win and we have the ability to DOHA win which is very important to Jones’ superb us.” WITH just two wins from their The former Barcelona leg- strike seals win last five QNB Stars League end said that The Wolves need matches, Al Sadd will hope a to keep improving, while de- for Klopp kids; change of fortune happens soon claring his full confidence in his as the reigning champions take players. Chelsea cruise on Al Arabi in a rescheduled “Through my experience league match on Monday. as a former player and now past Forest as After an impressive start a coach, there’s no other way to the season, The Wolves to develop players other than Palace crash out have endured some inconsist- work, especially as we have a of FA Cup ent run of form which has put very good team participating Xavi Hernandez in the hot in several championships. I am AFP seat. The Spaniard who be- proud to train this team and we LONDON came coach of the club after must keep improving to get bet- calling time on his playing ca- ter results. LIVERPOOL inflicted fresh reer last year, has led his team “We started the season well, misery on Merseyside rivals to fifth in the QSL – 12 points but we could not continue. The Everton as a superb strike from behind leaders Al Duhail. league has evolved a lot, which teenager Curtis Jones sealed A shock 2-1 loss to Al Wak- means we must also develop,” a 1-0 win in the FA Cup third rah on Thursday further high- he added. round on Sunday. lighted the club’s struggles For Al Arabi, five points Jones’ second half curler in a season where they were from a possible 15 in the has sent Anfield in ecstasy as the knocked out of the AFC Cham- seen The Dream Team drop to club’s youth academy graduates pions League, and currently fourth, though level on points handed Everton an embarrass- battling to qualify for the knock- with Al Sadd. Heimir Hall- ing derby defeat. out stages of the Ooredoo Cup. grimsson has been without the The 18-year-old Liverpool- However, ahead of Mon- influential Aaron Gunnarsson born midfielder was making day’s game at Al Arabi in the due to injury. only his fifth appearance and ‘Doha Derby’, Xavi said his The former Iceland coach his memorable match winner Liverpool’s Curtis Jones (left) celebrates after scoring the winner against Everton during their English FA Cup third round match at Anfield in team must show their capability has also seen his side drop was his first senior goal. Liverpool on Sunday. (AFP) to overcome this difficult run. points in matches they should Jones is the youngest goals- “It will be a difficult match have won. A 3-0 thrashing of corer for Liverpool in a Mersey- ager Yasser Larouci. top corner. “When we were losing 1-0, for Callum, he has had a bad and Al Arabi have improved Al Ahli though, marked a good side derby since Robbie Fowler. Ancelotti’s side threatened Elsewhere on Sunday, Lu- at that moment I had the feeling injury, is getting himself fit and a lot this season. It is a great start to the second half of the Without a win over their early on when Dominic Calvert- cas Moura kept Tottenham’s FA of ‘we are in trouble’,” Totten- getting sharper. His goal was an derby that puts pressure on season and Hallgrimsson will rivals in any competition since Lewin’s strike was pushed away Cup hopes alive with the equal- ham boss Jose Mourinho said. early settler for us,” Lampard both teams and Arabi’s attack hope his team keeps the mo- 2010 and thrashed 5-2 at An- from Adrian, who then repelled iser in their 1-1 draw at second “We could be out like a few said. have been potent lately so we mentum against Al Sadd. field in the Premier League ear- Mason Holgate’s header and tier Middlesbrough, while Cal- other Premier League teams. Crystal Palace became the have to be careful,” Xavi said on “Being the ‘Doha Derby’ lier this season, Everton will feel Richarlison’s shot. lum Hudson-Odoi got back in But then everyone reacted. I re- third Premier League club to Sunday. should be a great incentive for the pain from this defeat against Liverpool’s youngsters had the groove as Chelsea cruised acted. The boys reacted.” be knocked out this weekend “We do not want to suffer in us to win and advance in the ta- their under-strength neigh- been thrashed by Aston Villa to a 2-0 win over Nottingham At Stamford Bridge, there as second tier Derby won 1-0 at tomorrow’s game, we must play ble,” Hallgrimsson said. bours for some while. while the senior stars were away Forest. were signs that Hudson-Odoi Selhurst Park. Hit by injuries that left him at the Club World Cup in De- Tottenham haven’t lifted a might be emerging from his Jayden Bogle fizzed a cross with 12 fit senior outfield play- cember. major trophy since 2008 when sophomore slump. to the far post and Chris Martin ers, Liverpool boss Jurgen But they acquitted them- current Middlesbrough manag- He opened the scoring tapped into the net in the 32nd Klopp had made nine changes, selves much better this time er Jonathan Woodgate scored against the second tier side in minute. selecting Nat Phillips, 22, and and Japan striker Takumi Mi- the League Cup winner against the sixth minute, just his second In a VAR first in England, teenage trio Neco Williams, namino, making his debut after Chelsea. goal of the season and his first referee Michael Oliver used the Harvey Elliott and Jones. joining from Salzburg, glanced Woodgate was on course since September. pitch-side monitor to change a In contrast, Everton manag- a header narrowly off-target to dent Tottenham’s bid to end Blues boss Frank Lampard decision, sending off Luka Mili- er Carlo Ancelotti made just two before Divock Origi’s low drive that wretched run when Ashley had made nine changes, but vojevic after initially booking changes, fielding a strong team was brilliantly saved by Jordan Fletcher put Middlesbrough Chelsea doubled their lead in the Palace midfielder for kick- as the visitors chased a first win Pickford. ahead in the second half at the the 33rd minute when Hudson- ing out at Tom Huddlestone in at Anfield since 1999. Jones’ moment of magic Riverside Stadium. Odoi’s shot was parried straight the 63rd minute. Liverpool’s injury problems came in the 71st minute when But Brazilian winger Lucas to Ross Barkley and the mid- Sheffield United avoided a mounted within 10 minutes he played a chipped pass to headed the equaliser to send the fielder poked home at the back non-league upset with a 2-1 win when James Milner limped off Origi, took the return ball and tie to a replay in north London post. against AFC Fylde at Bramall Al Sadd coach Xavi Hernadez (left) and defender Pedro Miguel during to be replaced by another teen- curled a stunning effort into the later in January. “I was particularly pleased Lane. a press conference on Sunday. ‘Shame on you’: Balotelli lashes Bayern coach says Bundesliga more balanced out in new Italy racism storm RB Leipzid in the Bundesliga. goalkeeper to Munich. That is AFP at Italy international Balotelli. The Germans are However, it is not the first time very far-sighted,” Flick said. MILAN The former Manchester City they have found themselves Forward Serge Gnabry was and Liverpool player was tar- in Doha for their in such position. Last season, unable to train Sunday after MARIO Balotelli lashed out geted every time he got the ball. annual winter The Bavarians were six points suffering an Achilles tendon on Sunday after again being “It’s already the second behind Borussia Dortmund problem during a running ses- targeted by racist insults, this time,” Balotelli was heard tell- training camp but a remarkable run of form sion.