Man United poised for Barca clash after PSG comeback, says Solkjaer PAGE 18 WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10, 2019

Abdelrasoul & Mahmoud enter knockout of Satun 1-Star beach volleyball PAGE 19 UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE MAN UTD VS BARCELONA

Quick read 2022 World Cup stadiums feature QSL’s Live Match Analysis system takes centre stage at Arab football exhibition in Paris : The ‘Live Match Analysis’ system, launched recently by the (QSL), came into force for the first time ever in the AFC Champions League on Monday. The innovative system was implemented at the 2019 AFC Champions League’s Group C match between Al Duhail and , in the presence of QSL CEO Hani Taleb Ballan and with the backing of Ahmed Khellil Abbassi, Executive Director of Competition and Football Devel- opment (Acting) at QSL. The AFC gave approval for the system to be implemented in two matches. It was also used during Al Rayyan and Al Wahda match at the Al Sadd Stadium on Tuesday. (TNN)

Kerber and Goerges return for German Fed Cup tie in Latvia BERLIN: Wimbledon cham- Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy Secretary- General Hassan al Thawadi with France’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian and President of the Institute of the Arab World Jack Lang during pion Angelique Kerber and Julia an exhibition in Paris, recently. Goerges return into Germany’s Fed Cup team for a relegation/ SC.QA tion, which is titled ‘Football the opening and signed a ful game,” said Thawadi. voted to Qatar’s hosting of the was one of the first players of promotion Fed Cup tie next week DOHA and the Arab World: The Rev- partnership in support of the “Events such as this help FIFA World Cup. The Qatari Arab origin to be successful in in Latvia, the German Tennis Fed- olution of the Round Ball’. exhibition with Jack Lang, to illustrate the power of foot- segment features all eight sta- Europe. eration (DTB) said on Tuesday. THE FIFA World Cup Qatar Jean-Yves Le Drian, President of the Institute of the ball and how sport can bring dium models, along with two The story of France-based World number five Kerber and 2022 features prominently France’s Minister of For- Arab World. people, countries and regions videos which highlight the re- players who joined the Algeri- 18th-ranked Goerges missed the in a new exhibition launched eign Affairs, was the guest of Thawadi said the SC was together. We’re thrilled to have cent infrastructure progress. an independence movement is first-round tie in February which this week at the Institute of the the honour at the exhibition, proud to showcase its plans the chance to show how prepa- In addition, the Qatar Football also documented, while there the Germans lost 4-0 at home Arab World in Paris. which was also attended by for Qatar 2022 at the institute, rations are coming along for Association has donated vari- are specific features on football against Belarus. The two will The Supreme Committee Prince Ali bin Ali al Hussein, which is located near Notre the first World Cup in the Arab ous memorabilia following Qa- in Palestine, the women’s game lead a German team which also for Delivery & Legacy (SC), the and Sheikh Ali bin Jassem al Dame Cathedral. world and proud to contribute tar’s victory in the AFC Asian in Jordan and the passion for features Andera Petkovic and body tasked with overseeing Thani, Qatar’s Ambassador to “We’re pleased to be part towards this showcase of our Cup earlier this year. football in Cairo. There are doubles specialist Anna-Lena the infrastructure and legacy France. of this enthralling exhibition region’s football history.” Other highlights of the ex- also segments on Paris Saint- Groenefeld for the April 19-20 tie for Qatar 2022, has donated SC Secretary General Has- which highlights the Arab The exhibition features 11 hibition include a segment de- Germain and the best XI in on hard court in Riga. (DPA) stadium models for the exhibi- san al Thawadi also attended world’s passion for the beauti- segments, including one de- voted to Larbi Benbarek, who Arab football history. Al Sadd, Pakhtakor play 2-2 draw scores brace for Wolves in Tashkent but Al Sadd remain second in Group D with four points AFC DOHA/TASHKENT

UZBEKISTAN’S Pakhta- kor came from behind twice against Al Sadd as the two sides played out a 2-2 draw at Pakhtakor Central Stadium on Matchday Three of the Al Rayyan’s in action against Al Wahda on Tuesday. 2019 AFC Champions League Group D on Monday. Gelmin Rivas throughout the Lucca Borges’ cross from the The recently crowned Qa- first half with the Venezue- right wing and slip home the tar Stars League champions lan striker seeing his header opener eight minutes after the came into the match having saved by goalkeeper Moham- restart. ended a four-match winless med Al Shamsi at the 15-min- Al Wahda restored parity run in the competition. Mean- ute mark. in the 67th minute through while, Pakhtakor hoped to Rivas was again at the re- Sebastian Tagliabue. Play- stay unbeaten on top of the ceiving end of a Mohammed maker Ismail Matar supplied group with a home win. Juma cross six minutes later, a superb through pass for the Both sides made their at- but he failed direct his header Argentine who latched onto tacking intents clear from the goalward. the ball and applied a com- start and Pakhtakor’s Jalolid- Korean defender Rim posed finish past goalkeeper din Masharipov tested the Chang-woo responded with a Fahad Younis. goalkeeper from distance just headed effort for Al Wahda, There was to be late heart- 90 seconds into the match. but his ball sailed over the break for the local supporters Al Sadd’s first sight of Al Sadd captain Xavi Hernandez celebrates with teammates after scoring against Pakhtakor during their AFC Champions League Matchday crossbar, before Rivas again as defender Musa Haroon was goal came quickly after and Three Group D match at the Pakhtakor Central Stadium in Tashkent on Monday. missed a header from a Rod- penalised for pulling down it was decisive as Baghdad rigo Tabata cross. Leonardo inside the box in Bounedjah supplied a low Pakhtakor Central Stadium Aissa to make it 2-2. Following a quick ex- Hamad Stadium in Doha. A last-ditch tackle from added time. cross for Xavi who curled it and it was again Al Sadd cap- The hosts, propelled by a change of passes down the Mohamed Alaeldin denied the The Brazilian stepped up from the edge of the box into tain Xavi who found the back loud crowd, dominated pos- right flank, the ball was fed Last minute penalty sink UAE side a certain scoring op- to take the spot-kick himself the top corner to open the of the net. The Spanish mid- session in the second half, to Sardor Sobirkhodjaev who Al Rayyan in Doha portunity before the half-time and drove home the Emirati scoring for the visitors in the fielder curled-in a perfect free- while Al Sadd looked to hit on tried to drive it in first-time An added-time goal from break. The Qatar defender side’s second win of the cam- sixth minute. kick from 25 yards that beat the counter. from the edge of the box, Leonardo sealed a 2-1 come- snatched the ball from under- paign. Within three minutes, Pa- goalkeeper Sanjar Kuvvatov Bounedjah thought he had but his ball did not dip fast back win for UAE’s Al Wahda neath the feet of Leonardo as Al Wahda will go into the khtakor responded in spec- to restore the Qataris’ lead in scored his second goal of the enough and landed on the roof against Al Rayyan in Group B the Brazilian was set to pull reverse fixture at home in two tacular fashion as Khojiakbar the 16th minute. 2019 AFC Champions League the goal. on Tuesday. the plug following a quick weeks’ time boosted by the Alijonov pounced on a poor Pakhtakor were again 15 minutes after the restart Despite the two teams’ The two sides went into counter attack. away win and six points in defensive clearance to unleash able to claw back the margin when his header connected best efforts, there were no the fixture level on three The match burst into their tally, while another de- a thunderous drive that nes- before the half-time break. perfectly with Akram Afif’s goals in the second 45 minutes points, with goal difference fa- life in the second half as Ri- feat in could com- tled in the top corner of Mesha Masharipov crossed for Dra- cross from a corner kick, but and the spoils were shared vouring Al Wahda. vas finally got his goal for Al plicate Al Rayyan’s situation Aissa’s goal. gan Ceran who directed his the Algerian’s effort missed by ahead of the reverse fixture in Al Rayyan looked to Rayyan. The striker evaded in the race for qualification to Goals kept raining at the header to the far post past a whisker. two weeks’ time at Jassim bin pump crosses into the box for his marker to get on the end of the Round of 16. 18 Wednesday, April 10, 2019 Sports Diamond League champions Obiri, Kipruto, Cheruiyot and Korir to headline Kenyan challenge in Doha

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK world 5000m champion and in Doha where I expect an- in London before winning the year but Cheruiyot overturned DOHA she will be looking to start other tough race against Sou- Diamond League title in Brus- these results to win the Dia- her track campaign on a high fiane. My main goal in 2019 is sels. mond League final in Zurich- FOUR reigning Diamond as she builds up to the IAAF to defend my title at the World Korir faces opposition 3:30.27 to 3:31.16. League champions from Ken- World Championships Doha Championships but I want to from Botswana’s former “I’m delighted to be kick- ya including Hellen Obiri will 2019 from 27 September to 6 start my track season with a Olympic silver medallist Nijel ing off my Diamond League be competing at the Doha Dia- October. victory here.” Amos - the joint third fastest season in Doha. I’ve had a long mond League - the first stage “Of course I have great The line-up also features 800m runner in history - who winter of training in Nairobi of the 2019 IAAF Diamond memories of Doha which is fellow Kenyans Amos Kirui, handed Korir his sole defeat of and I can’t wait to race the best League - which will take place where I set my African 3000m Benjamin Kigen and Leonard the 2018 season at the African in the world once again. in the state-of-the-art Khalifa record of 8:20.68 in 2014. I Bett along with Ethiopia’s Cha- Championships in Asaba, Ni- “My aim is to be back International Stadium on May am excited to race in the Khal- la Beyo, who won the 3000m geria. here in October for the World 3. ifa International Stadium next steeplechase when it was a One of the in-form run- Championships so it’s a unique Obiri, who will contest the month and I also look forward non-Diamond League event ners during the indoor season chance to experience the new 3000m in Doha, has already to returning for the World last year. was the United States’ Dona- track,” said Cheruiyot, who made history this year by win- Championships later this year van Brazier who is making his broke the 3:30-barrier for the ning gold at the IAAF World when I plan to contest both Korir and Cheruiyot to racing debut in Doha. Only 21, distance twice on the Diamond Cross Country Championships the 5000m and 10,000m,” she highlight middle distance Brazier set a national indoor League circuit in 2018. in Aarhus, Denmark. In doing said. action 800m record of 1:44.41 and Ronald Kwemoi, who won so, she became the first athlete Emmanuel Korir began also broke the world indoor the 3000m in Doha two years - male or female - to win titles Kipruto and El Bakkali his unbeaten campaign on the 600m record at his domestic ago, returns to action after a at the IAAF World Champi- to renew rivalry in the Diamond League circuit last championships with 1:13.77. low-key season in 2018 while onships, IAAF World Indoor 3000m steeplechase year with victory over 800m in Other standout names other leading runners on the Championships, IAAF World Another eagerly awaited Doha and he will be seeking a include multiple European start-line include Djibouti’s Cross Country Championships clash on the track is the men’s repeat performance this year - champions Adam Kszczot and former world indoor cham- as well as the IAAF World Re- 3000m steeplechase which albeit on a different track. Marcin Lewandowski from Po- pion Ayanleh Souleiman and lays. features both Kenya’s reigning “I’m delighted to be kicking land and the recently crowned 2012 Olympic bronze medal- “It was a difficult race but world and Olympic champion off my DL season in Doha. I’ve European indoor champion list Abdelaati Iguider from I was determined to win as it Conseslus Kipruto and Mo- had a long build up through Alvaro de Arriba from Spain. Morocco. was one of the few titles miss- rocco’s Soufiane El Bakkali, the off-season in Nairobi and There is also a strong Ken- Elijah Manangoi’s younger ing from my collection. How- who set a world-leading time can’t wait to race the best in yan presence in the 1500m brother George, the reigning ever my focus is now on the of 7:58.15 in 2018. Hellen Obiri of Kenya the world once again. My aim with training partners Timo- world U18 and U20 1500m track,” said Obiri, who pre- They were involved in one is to be back here in October thy Cheruiyot and Elijah champion, also competes. vailed on what many observ- of the most dramatic and un- straight to clinch the Diamond never forget. I had a lot of pain for the World Championships Manangoi both confirmed. Tickets for the Doha ers rated to be the toughest forgettable races of the 2018 League title - 8:10.15 to 8:10.19 in my left foot but I fought un- so it’s a unique chance to expe- Manangoi had the beat- Diamond League are avail- ever course for a World Cross Diamond League season in - despite losing his left spike on til the end,” said Kipruto. rience the new track,” said Ko- ing of Cheruiyot at both the able at https://www.q-tick- Country Championships. Zurich where Kipruto over- the second lap. “I am looking forward to rir, who moved to sixth on the Commonwealth Games and ets.com/qoc/eventdetails. Obiri is also the reigning hauled El Bakkali in the home “That was a victory I will opening my track season here world all-time list with 1:42.05 African Championships last aspx?k1=nkN8dD2wwvc= PSG win gives United belief against Barca: Solskjaer

AFP MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM

OLE Gunnar Solskjaer believes Manchester United’s remarkable recovery to eliminate Paris Saint- Germain in the Champions Patrick Reed of the United States looks on during a practice round League last 16 has instilled a be- prior to the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on Tuesday. (AFP) lief they can also end Barcelona’s European dreams. The Spanish champi- Defending Masters ons travel to Old Trafford on Wednesday for the first leg of their quarter-final tie aiming champ Reed says to take another step closer to a third treble of La Liga, Cham- game ready for repeat pions League and Copa del Rey since 2009. United have the onerous AFP crowns, including Spain’s Ser- task of stopping an in-form AUGUSTA, UNITED STATES gio Garcia last year and Britain’s and Luis Suarez, Danny Willett in 2017. but Solskjaer is confident his DEFENDING Masters champi- Some wither under the side have learned from their on Patrick Reed hasn’t won an- changes forced upon a player mistakes in losing 2-0 at home ything since capturing his first by a Masters win but Reed likes to PSG before pulling off a mi- Manchester United’s manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (centre) leads his team’s training session at the Carrington Training Centre in Manchester major title last year at Augusta what he has done, notably in raculous 3-1 victory in Paris to on Tuesday. (EPA-EFE) National, but says his game is juggling his time with greater progress on away goals. ready for a green jacket repeat. demands. “I can feel the tension, the ex- the second leg against PSG has hopeful that Marcus Rashford in the first leg defeat to PSG. “Paul is looking forward The 28-year-old American “The biggest thing would citement. I felt the mood ahead given the players and support- and Nemanja Matic will be fit Pogba has yet to truly shine to tomorrow. He is a Man- makes his sixth Masters ap- have been just really managing of PSG home game was different. ers belief that the same is pos- despite failing to take a full on the Champions League stage chester United player and he pearance this week without a my time well,” Reed said. “I’m a We have learnt from that PSG sible against Barcelona.” part in training on Tuesday. for United, but amid speculation is one of our big performers top-10 finish this year, his best grinder. If anything I probably game,” said the Norwegian. United’s comeback at the “He needed an extra warm- that the French World Cup win- on the big stage. results a share of 13th at Hawaii hit too many golf balls and I’m “Of course when you get Parc des Princes was even more up and hopefully he won’t get ner could be tempted by a sum- “He knows the game and Torrey Pines. on the golf course too long. So Barcelona, with the quality of remarkable as Solskjaer was a reaction,” said Solskjaer on mer move to Real Madrid, Sol- against PSG was not his great- But Reed has confidence his as later in the weeks come, it their team, we know we need without 10 first-team players. Rashford’s fitness. skjaer called on the club’s record est moment. He is only focused fortitude and perseverance can can get a little more stressful in to step up our game. We know He is short-handed once more “Let’s see tomorrow, but signing to focus on his job tomor- on tomorrow playing well once again make the difference. my body and on my mind. we need to perform to our best with Herrera, Valencia and Eric hopefully he can be ready.” row and rise to the occasion. against Barcelona and I cannot “The game now is where it “And then with being Mas- levels, which we didn’t against absent through injury. will return from “At Paul’s best he can run a see him not playing for Man- needs to be,” Reed said Tues- ters Champion, now you’re add- PSG at home. The outcome of However, Solskjaer is suspension after being sent-off game like this,” said Solskjaer. chester United next season.” day. “We’ve put in a lot of hard ing extra obligations and extra work throughout the entire things that come along with it. year.” “I felt like my team and I “I’ve put myself in position have handled it really well. Yes, Pele back in Brazil after scare in some events. It’s just one it’s different, but it’s a good dif- Woods alongside Rahm while McIlroy round here or there that has ferent.” kind of hurt me. I just need to Reed says he feels more go out and put four solid rounds comfortable and confident goes out with Fowler at Masters together.” around Augusta National after The only players to win holding off Rickie Fowler last DPA back-to-back Masters titles year to win by a stroke. AUGUSTA, GEORGIA were Jack Nicklaus (1965-66), “Every guy out here believes Nick Faldo (1989-90) and Tiger that they can win a major. You TIGER Woods begins his quest Woods (2001-02). feel like you have the game to for a fifth Masters title in a “Actually having the win, do it, but until you actually do it, threesome with Spain’s Jon I know what I need to do in there’s always that kind of self Rahm and China’s Li Haotong order to compete and have a doubt in the back of your mind,” on Thursday. chance on Sunday,” Reed said. Reed said. Woods enters the fray at “It makes me more hungry and “So once you get over that 1504 GMT and his group will more motivated to keep the hurdle and you do it once, then be followed by bookmakers’ fa- jacket.” all of a sudden now your confi- vourite Rory McIlroy, American Reed admits it would be dence goes even higher because Rickie Fowler and Australian fun to see Tiger Woods win a you start believing. Not only do Cameron Smith in the group- Tiger Woods looks on as Justin Thomas plays from the 17th tee during a 15th career major title and fifth you believe that you can win, ings announced on Tuesday for practice round prior to The Masters at Augusta National Golf Club. (AFP) Masters crown this week. The but you’ve also already done it the first two rounds. 43-year-old star hasn’t won a as well.” Defending champion Pat- duo Andrew Landry and Adam two Dustin Johnson is with fel- major since the 2008 US Open Controversy has dogged rick Reed begins with fellow Long with Canadian Corey Con- low American Bryson DeCham- and hasn’t won a green jacket Reed over his career. At last Pele arrived back in Brazil on Tuesday after having surgery for a American Webb Simpson and ners, who Sunday won the Vale- beau and Australian Jason Day. since 2005. year’s Ryder Cup, the self-styled “severe urinary infection” during a six-day hospital stay in France Norwegian amateur Viktor ro Texas Open. Three-time major winner “It would be pretty cool,” “Captain America” went 1-2, that revived fears about the three-time World Cup winner’s state of Hovland. Among attractive three- Brooks Koekpa of the United Reed said. “But at the same dropping two four-balls match- health. The 78-year-old, who is widely considered to be the greatest The 83rd Masters gets un- somes are England’s Justin States lines up with compatriot time, hopefully I can go ahead es alongside Tiger Woods, footballer in history, was discharged late on Monday from the private der way with a ceremonial tee- Rose, back at the top of golf’s and also three-time major win- and fight him for it.” and complained about being American hospital in Paris where he had been taken after falling ill off by golfing greats Gary Player rankings, with US veteran Phil ner Jordan Spieth and Eng- Ten winners have missed benched, irking some team- following an appearance with France striker Kylian Mbappe. (AFP) and Jack Niklaus at 8.15 am, Mickelson and fellow American land’s Paul Casey in the last the cut in defending their mates. followed by the first group of US Justin Thomas, while number group of the round. Sports Wednesday, April 10, 2019 19 Qatar’s Abdelrasoul, Mahmoud in Satun 1-Star knockout

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK DOHA chmawan and Mohammad Ashfiya. But last year he and QATAR’S Tamer Abdelrasoul Vakili were beaten by Qatar’s and Assam Ahmed Mahmoud star players Cherif Younousse made it to the round one in the and Ahmed Tijan in the final. FIVB Beach Volleyball World For Abdelrasoul and Tour Satun 1-Star with one win Mahmoud, their next challeng- and one loss in Satun, Thailand ers are 10th-seeded Phicha- on Tuesday. kon Narathon and Phanupong The Qatari pair, seeded Thanan from Thailand. ninth, had a superb start The second-seeded Kazakh against the eighth seeds Fan pair Alexandr Dyachenko and Shen and Kingsley Tay from Alexey Sidorenko, the 2013 Singapore and the first set put Asian champions, topped Pool them on a roll. They went on to B, following their win against beat the rivals 21-11, 21-17 in 35 Austria’s Jakob Reiter and Si- minutes. mon Baldauf 2-1 (21-7, 31-33, In the second match of Pool 15-13) and Ukraine’s Vladyslav

Al Rayyan players try to block an Al Arabi smasher during their Qatar Cup Volleyball Championship match in Doha on Tuesday.

Qatar’s Assam Ahmed Mahmoud and Tamer Abdelrasoul in action Rayyan, Police to clash during the Satun 1-Star Beach Volleyball Tournament in Satun, Thailand on Tuesday.

The Qatari pair, seeded ninth, had a superb start against in Qatar Cup v’ball final the eighth seeds Fan Shen and Kingsley Tay from Singapore and the first set put them on a roll. They went on to beat the rivals 21-11, 21-17 in 35 minutes. TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK to the court against Al Rayyan RESULTS ed it and the latter moved for- ing the first two sets with Al DOHA in the final with an aim to ex- ward, Police went on to deny Arabi, were 16-13 ahead but act revenge for the last year’s QATAR CUP VOLLEYBALL the rivals a win. fell behind by a point in the A, they met with top seeds Bah- Iemelianchyk and Denys De- ORDER was restored by de- defeat. Police beat Al Wakrah Club 27-29, 25-18, 41-39, However the marathon set third at crucial stage (20-21). man Salemiinjehboroun and nysenko 2-0 (27-25, 21-14). fending champions Al Rayyan Al Wakrah, who had beat- 25-19 in 122 minutes finally ended in 43 minutes However, the double Arab Arash Vakili from Iran. Thailand’s Kitti Duangjin- Club and Police as they won en QVA League winners Police Al Rayyan Club beat Al Arabi Club 25-20, 23-25, with Police coming through club championship winners Salemiinjehboroun and da and Dunwinit Kaewsai and the third of the best-of-three in the second match in a pul- 25-21, 25-21 in 110 minutes and they progressed to im- bounced back and reeled off Vaikili controlled the flow of Hungary’s Artur Hajos and series and qualified for the fi- sating finish, seemed to have pose themselves in the fourth five points in a row to forge the game well and beat Ab- Balasz Benko won Pool C and nal of the Qatar Cup Volleyball resumed the battle from there On Friday, Police will take before sealing their victory in 2-1 ahead. delrasoul and Mahmoud 21- Pool D, respectively. Championship on Tuesday. and went 1-0 ahead. They led over two hours. The fourth set saw Al Rayy- 15, 21-13 in 39 minutes to post The Thais came up with At the QVA Indoor Hall, it even in the beginning of the to the court against Al Four of the Police players an dictate the terms to Al Ara- their second win in a row. In straight-set wins over New was first Police, who overpow- second set. Rayyan in the final with an contributed in double digits. bi and they former defended another group match, the Sin- Zealand’s Thomas Hartles and ered a gritty Al Wakrah Club in Police however managed aim to exact revenge for Willner led the scoring with their lead to post the victory in gaporeans defeated Thai rivals Alani Nicklin (33-31, 21-18) four sets by 27-29, 25-18, 41- to stall the progress of Al Wak- the last year’s defeat. 33, while John Chigbo had 17, one hour and 50 minutes, with Santitham Khruttha and Po- and Russia’s Daniil Kuvichka 39, 25-19 in two hours and two rah in the middle and edged Oivanen collected 16 and Na- Rychlicki netting 22 points ravid Taovato to move to the and Anton Kislytsyn (21-19, minutes, while double win- 16-14 before wresting the set spearheaded their spirited ral- dir Abubacker earned 14. and Bukasinovic landing 15. knockout stage, along with the 21-19), while the Hungarians ners Al Rayyan Club defeated and knotting the scores 1-1. ly and forced the deuce. From For Al Wakrah, Hachdadi For Al Arabi, Stern was Iranian and Qatari teams. beat Kazakhstan’s Dmitriy Ya- three-time champions Al Ara- Al Wakrah Club staged a them the two were involved was again the star contributor the prime contributor as he In 2017, Salemiinje- kovlev and Sergey Bogatu 2-1 bi Club 25-20, 23-25, 25-21, thrilling comeback in the third in an absorbing battle for with 35 points. Abdulrahman recorded 22 points. Bassam hboroun had won the Asian ti- (19-21, 21-16, 22-20) and Thai- 25-21 in 110 minutes. after trailing 8-16 at a stage. straight two points. If Police added 13 and Tamsir got 11. and Rafael could add only nine tle with Rahman Roufi against land’s Banlue Nakprakhong On Friday, Police will take But Mohamed al Hachdadi went ahead, Al Wakrah negat- Al Rayyan, after shar- each. Indonesians Ade Candra Ra- and Narongdet Kangkon 2-0.

Chennai thrash KKR to go to top of IPL table Amir Cup Shooting & Archery Championships

IANS aged just 108/9, riding Andre Plessis and Ambati Rayudu CHENNAI Russell’s unbeaten yet unchar- (21) stitched together a 46- Shakhova, Buftaim win gold acteristic 44-ball 50. run third wicket partnership, ALL-ROUND Chennai Super Deepak Chahar (3/20) mostly scoring off singles. Kings made short work of scalped three wickets and Earlier, Chahar shaved Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), was well supported by vet- off the KKR top order early medals in thrilling finish thrashing them by seven wick- eran spinners Harbhajan as Chennai never allowed the ets in a lopsided Indian Pre- Singh (2/15) and Imran Tahir visitors to get an upper hand. mier League (IPL) encounter (2/21). Chennai even kept Russell TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK here on Tuesday. Chasing a paltry 109 for quiet as the big-hitting West DOHA The victory saw the de- victory, Chennai were never Indian hit five fours and three fending champions replace in trouble as South Africa cap- sixes but never got into the ELIZAVETA Shakhova held KKR at the top of the eight- tain Faf du Plessis carried his groove. her nerves to beat Shahad team points table with 10 bat with an unbeaten 43 off 45 Khalid al Darwish to wrest the points from six matches. balls, his innings studded with BRIEF SCORES women’s 10m Air Rifle gold KKR, meanwhile, dropped three fours. Kolkata Knight Riders: 108/9 (Andre medal - her third - at the Amir down to second spot, having After the hosts lost Shane Russell 50; Deepak Chahar 3/20, Harbhajan Cup Shooting and Archery eight points from six outings. Watson (17) and Suresh Rai- Singh 2/15, Imran Tahir 2/21) Championship at the Losail After being asked to bat na (14) inside the powerplay Chennai Super Kings: 111/3 in 17.2 overs Ranges on Tuesday. first by home team skipper with Sunil Narine (2/24) (Faf du Plessis 43 not out; Sunil Narine Shakhova and Darwish M.S. Dhoni, the visitors man- taking both the wickets, du 2/24) were involved in a tight battle even in the qualification round. They stretched their fight for supremacy in the eight-shooter finals as well. Shakhova, who shot 246.4, managed to put in Waleed Zaman claims U-17 title her good showing when it mat- tered the most and went to win TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK ki also performed well to bag the title with just 1.3 points in DOHA the third spot. This included an exciting finish. a win over the competition’s Hessa Essa Binali, who ASPIRE Academy’s squash number two seed and showed qualified as the sixth best, team gave a strong perfor- his growing tactical prow- claimed the bronze medal with mance at the Luxembourg ess. With one year remaining 218.9 points. Matara Fahad al Junior Open between earlier in this age group, Salem has Assieri, the third best qualifier, this month, with Waleed Za- made considerable improve- could collect only 197.1 to fin- man winning the U-17 catego- ment since the start of this ish fourth, while Aisha Buftam ry and Salem al Malki securing season. could not repeat her qualifying third place in the U-15s. Ibrahim al Darwish also round show and rounded out As a regular junior tour did well to qualify for the main the top five, getting 176.7. event, this year’s Luxembourg draw of the Under-17 event. Zainab Tayeb Buftaim was Junior Open saw an increase He beat the number seven fifth in the qualification round in participation from players seed before being knocked out of the women’s 10m Air Pistol across Europe. It was a well- by teammate Zaman. Unfortu- but she bounced back to clinch run event, providing excellent nately, a hamstring strain then the gold medal, beating favour- competition for the six Aspire Waleed Zaman (right) and Salem forced Ibrahim to withdraw ite Dana Saad al Mubarak by players competing as the tour- al Malki of Aspire Academy from his final two matches to the narrowest of margins. nament looks to gain Grand avoid further injury. Buftaim managed 501 Prix status on the calendar games of the final, Waleed In the Under-19 event, in the qualification round, next season. withstood a comeback from Ahmad al Meraikhi finished while Mubarak topped by get- Podium winners of the Amir Cup shooting and archery women’s 10m Air Rifle (top) and 10m Air Pistol with The highlight of the week- Belgian Antoine Allard to nar- sixth. Yousef al Kubaisi also ting 563. Nasra Mohammed QSAA officials after the prize distribution in Losail on Tuesday. end came from Grade 11 stu- rowly take the fourth game ranked sixth in the Under-15 Mahmoud and Souad Waleed dent Waleed Zaman, who won and claim the title 11/4, 11/6, category. Grade 7 student Ab- al Khater took the second and However, in the finals, to emerge the champion after Khater netted 180.9 for his first European junior title 6/11, 15/13. dulrahman Ajineh managed third spots, respectively. Fatma Buftaim turned around the shooting 225.9. Nasra Moham- the fourth place, while Karbon in the U-17 age group. After In the Under-15 event, to qualify for the U-13 age cat- Karbon tallied 527 as the fourth patterns and got the better of med notched up 205.1 to land got the fifth spot with a tally of dominating the opening two Grade 8 student Salem al Mal- egory and was 14th. best qualifier. Mubarak by just 0.1 of a point the bronze medal. 162.9 points.