Al Sadd Set Sights on Amir Cup, Meet Al Arabi in Semis Tonight

QatarTribune Qatar_Tribune Hamilton QatarTribuneChannel qatar_tribune secures 100th career F1 pole position at Spanish Grand Prix SUNday, MAY 9, 2021 page 14 Al Sadd set sights on Amir Cup, meet Al Arabi in semis tonight

Tribune News Network Doha

The prestigious Amir Cup title beckons Qatar football’s two top teams – Al Sadd and Al Duhail – as they seek to get over the recent disappoint- ments of the AFC Champions League. The first semi-final of the prestigious championship pits Al Sadd against Al Arabi at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Sunday at 10pm, before Al Duhail lock horns with Al Rayyan on Monday at the same venue. Both Al Sadd and Al Duhail faltered at the AFC Champi- ons League in the group stage itself at the end of last month, failing to even make it to the Round of 16 as one of the best second-placed teams. Al Sadd particularly will be disappointed with their per- formance in the continental event after especially having Xavi squashes rumours, decimated their opposition en route to winning the QNB says he’s close to signing Stars League unbeaten. Al Sadd coach Xavi Her- new Al Sadd contract nandez conceded his team Al Sadd coach Xavi Hernandez and player Rodrigo Tabata during the press conference on the eve of Amir Cup 2021 semi-final against Al Arabi were far from their best in at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Saturday. The former Barcelona the AFC Champions League midfielder is widely tipped and said his players must now win the Cup. We must realise Sadd, after having lost to them grimsson added. very well it will not be an easy to return to Spain to manage focus on retaining the Amir the importance of the match,” in last year’s Amir Cup final. For Duhail, it will be their match after both teams faced his old club. But now Xavi Cup. “This is football. We got he said. Hallgrimsson admitted the last chance to rescue their difficulties in the group stage and his coaching team are set out of the Champions League “We know the difficulty of task will be difficult though. season after having tamely of the AFC Champions League, to sign a contract extension, because of one goal and we competition, and we are pre- “We are well prepared for surrendered the league title which caused the early Asian which will keep them at Al were not at our best, but we paring well in training in order the match, we want to reach to Al Sadd. Sabri Lamouchi’s exit, and, therefore, the whole Sadd until June, 2023. were not very bad. We must to present our best players in the final again. We have wait- side looked good in parts in focus is to win the match and When asked about the focus now on the Amir Cup the tournament. We did not ed a long time for this match the AFC Champions League. make our fans happy,” Olunga Tribune News Network rumors about his departure, after winning the League and have luck in the Asian Cham- while Al Sadd are coming from They needed to win their final said Doha Xavi said: “This is not true. the Qatar Cup. In football, a pions League. We deserved participating in the Asian Group C encounter against “We closed the continen- I am very close to signing a team has victories and defeats. more than that and I do not Champions League. We have Saudi’s Al Ahli to progress tal competitions page and re- Al Sadd coach Xavi Hernan- new contract with Al Sadd. We must accept it. The present agree that local matches are tried as much as possible to into the last 16 but the draw turned again to the last and dez refuted the rumours of The issue of my exit from the now is to play against Al Arabi easy but we are the ones who keep fit and be well prepared pushed them to second spot most important local com- him leaving the Qatari giants team is just rumors and I am and we must prepare for it well offer strong matches,” the for- for the match,” the Icelander behind Iran’s Esteghlal. petition, and certainly all the by revealing he is ‘close to very happy to work with the in order to win,” the Spaniard mer Barcelona midfielder said. said yesterday. Duhail’s Kenya striker Mi- semi-final clubs realise the im- signing a new contract.’ players and the club.” said yesterday. Akram Afif is set to miss “The players are ready. We chael Olunga said they have portance of this cup and will Xavi said Al Arabi will the Al Arabi clash, as the strik- have some injuries but this moved on from their exit from provide everything that will pose a tough challenge to his er continues to recover from is normal. What worries me the AFC Champions League make it difficult to win the tro- achieving victory and help the cult match against Al Duhail, team. “We are very excited to a muscle injury. South Ko- most is the long gap between and are focused to do well in phy. From our side in Al Du- team reach the final,” Olunga which is one of the best Qatari meet Al Arabi, they are a very rean international Jung Woo- matches. We have to play the Amir Cup. Olunga was the hail, we are completely confi- added. teams as they have good play- good team and it is an impor- young is fit to play though and smart against Al Sadd as they team’s top scorer in the com- dent in our capabilities and in Al Rayyan who had a poor ers. But we are well prepared tant match for the team in the trained with the team yester- have good players in all posi- petition with nine goals and our physical and technical ca- AFC Champions League, fin- to face Al Duhail,” he said. Amir Cup. They have a bril- day. tions. We have played a lot will be key to Duhail’s hopes. pabilities and every player in ishing last in their group will The Frenchman revealed liant coach and are a much Meanwhile, Al Arabi coach against them and we did not “A very important and dif- the list to face Al Rayyan will have it tough against Al Du- Gabriel Mercado and Ibrahim organised team and our goal Heimir Hallgrimsson will be win. We hope to win against ficult match awaits us in front be able to provide the required hail. Coach Laurent Blanc Masoud will miss the match is to qualify for the final and plotting a revenge against Al them in this match,” Hall- of Al Rayyan, and we know addition and contribute to said: “It will be a very diffi- due to injuries. Neymar signs new PSG deal Zidane on Madrid future: I’m as he commits until 2025 going to make it very easy DPA a hamstring injury - his third DPA be extending my contract, to Madrid setback of the season. Paris be part of the history of Paris But Ramos had already and I hope to put many more Zinedine Zidane appeared missed three of Madrid’s pre- Neymar has committed his trophies on the shelf for Paris to commit to Real Madrid with vious games against top-four future to Paris Saint-Germain Saint-Germain. his latest cryptic comments opposition this term and they by extending his contract until “Of course, my goal when around his future ahead of a are unbeaten in all five such 2025. I came to Paris Saint-Germain huge La Liga clash with Sevilla. matches, winning four. The Brazil forward joined was to help get Paris Saint- Zidane is in his second Zidane said of his team’s the Ligue 1 champions from Germain to the top, among stint as Madrid coach and at- injury crisis: “It’s a concern, Barcelona on a five-year deal the very best, and we are get- tempting to defend their do- because there are so many. at a world-record cost of 222 ting close. We are gaining mestic title. Real Madrid’s French coach Our case is that of the team million euros ($270 million) more and more experience to But speculation is never Zinedine Zidane during the UEFA that has had the most. I’m in August 2017. help us negotiate these types far away at the Santiago Ber- Champions League second leg worried, of course. Neymar had been linked of games, to know how to play nabeu, and Zidane did not shy semis against Chelsea in London “It’s a particular year, play- with a return to Barca, but the in the Champions League. And away from links to former club last Wednesday. (AFP) ers never rest, coronavirus, the 29-year-old has now firmly Paris is on the right track, we Juventus earlier in the season. calendar... That’s all there is. committed to PSG, who an- are getting closer and closer to The Frenchman was asked four La Liga meetings between “I hope that by next year nounced his new deal on Sat- the taste of winning the Cham- again about his plans on Sat- the sides and are unbeaten in 11 they will change and be more urday . pions League. I’m sure we can urday, though, and replied: at home to Sevilla, scoring 3.4 normal, with a normal pre-sea- L’Equipe reported that do it.” “I’m going to make it very easy goals per game on average. It is son.” Zidane will be able to call the former Santos star’s new Defeat to Manchester for the club, because they have their longest ever stretch of con- on Eden Hazard, though, after terms will see him earn 30 Paris Saint-Germain’s Brazilian star forward. (AFP) City in the semi-finals of the given me everything. secutive home league victories the winger apologised having million euros per season in the Champions League this season “But the theme is Sevilla, against the Andalusian outfit. been pictured joking with his French capital. to rejoin Barcelona in July said, quoted on the club’s of- means hopes of lifting that tro- that’s all. Sevilla and what’s left But Los Blancos must former Chelsea team-mates fol- Neymar said: “I’m very 2019, when his future in Paris ficial website. phy remain unfulfilled. of La Liga.” Second-placed Ma- move on from a disappointing lowing this week’s defeat. happy, very happy to be ex- looked in serious doubt, and “Things have happened However, Neymar be- drid are facing fourth-placed result in midweek when they Hazard has just three goals tending my contract with in recent weeks he was linked that should not have hap- lieves Mauricio Pochettino is Sevilla on Sunday after leaders exited the Champions League in 27 La Liga appearances over Paris until 2025. The truth is again with a switch to Camp pened. We had fights, a few a man who can deliver such Atletico Madrid take on Barce- to Chelsea. the past two seasons and none that I’m very happy to be stay- Nou. sad times, but overall, the evo- success, describing him as “a lona, the remaining top-four “We know what we’re play- since January. He has created ing here for four more years, On signing up for the next lution has been very positive. great coach who will certainly team, the previous day. ing. That’s four finals,” Zidane only 26 chances for four as- to be a part of the club’s pro- four years, he suggested there “I am happy, I am proud to help us even more” while also Zidane’s side, two points said. “We have to forget about sists and much more is expect- ject, to try and win titles, to was regret on his part at mak- be part of the history of Paris praising his Parc des Princes back, could end the weekend the Champions League now ed from the big signing. try and achieve our biggest ing life difficult for PSG chiefs Saint-Germain. I think I have team-mates. top with just three games re- and focus on what we have “Eden has apologized and dream which is the Champi- in the past. improved as a person, as a “These things make you maining and will back them- left.” Madrid will again have to done well. He didn’t mean to ons League.” “I have changed a lot. I human being, and as a player believe in the project even selves against Sevilla. contend without captain Ser- hurt anyone, which is the most Neymar appeared eager have learned a lot,” Neymar too. So, I am very happy to more,” Neymar said. Madrid have won the past gio Ramos, who has suffered important thing,” Zidane said. Sports Sunday, May 9, 2021 13 Bayern win 9th straight Bundesliga title, Lewandowski near 40 goals

Bayern Munich’s Polish forward Robert Lewandowski celebrates after the match against Borussia Moenchengladbach on Saturday. (AFP)

icit and out of nowhere it was Bundesliga era from 1963-64 suddenly 2-2 on 77 minutes and their current streak start- through Leipzig’s Dani Olmo. ed with the league, German But Sancho was on fire Cup and Champions League and won it for Dortmund af- treble in 2013, a feat repeated ter another superb move on under Flick in 2020. 87 minutes. Their dominant decade “In the second half we also included further German played well,” Klostermann Cups in 2014, 2016 and 2019, told Sky. “We have to lift our and a handful of minor tro- heads up quickly, the next phies. game is very important.” Leip- Gladbach were lambs to zig coach Julian Nagelsmann the slaughter and Lewan- Bayern Munich’s players and team members celebrate after the German first division Bundesliga match against Borussia Moenchengladbach in Munich, Germany, on Saturday.( AFP) leaves for Bayern at the end dowski opened the scoring on of the season, but the 33-year- 2 minutes. Thomas Mueller’s DPA from just 27 appearances, one gling Augsburg 2-1 on Friday. old can still sign off from Leip- deflected effort followed be- Berlin behind Gerd Mueller’s Bun- RB Leipzig’s 3-2 defeat at Borussia Dortmund A well-worked move put zig with some glory when his fore an acrobatic finish gave desliga record with two games handed the title to Bayern, who celebrated in Dortmund ahead early with current side meet Dortmund Lewandowski his 200th Bun- Rampant Bayern Munich left to play. the later game with an emphatic 6-0 triumph Thorgan Hazard’s flick releas- again in the German Cup final desliga goal for Bayern from were confirmed as German Bayern coach Hansi Flick, ing Marco Reus who finished on Thursday. Mueller’s 17th assist of the champions for the 31st time leaving at the end of the cam- at home to Borussia Moenchengladbach. with aplomb. “Congratulations (to Bay- league campaign. on Saturday and extended paign after winning seven tro- Dortmund, without the in- ern) on a deserved title,” Nagels- Kingsley Coman rattled in their record run of consecutive phies, told Sky: “The coaching tle for rivals Bayern but also straight in the league, drew jured Erling Haaland, thought mann said while grinning. a fourth just before the break Bundesliga titles to nine. staff are so proud to have ac- boosted his side’s Champions 0-0 with sixth-placed Bayer they should have had a penalty It is the second Bundesliga and Lewandowski converted RB Leipzig’s 3-2 defeat at companied this team for two League hopes as they moved Leverkusen and Hoffenheim for Kevin Kampl’s handball triumph for Flick who took a penalty midway through the Borussia Dortmund handed the years. It has been a pleasure. up to fourth - two points ahead beat relegated Schalke 4-2 just before the break but ap- over during last season but is second half to leave Mueller’s title to Bayern, who celebrated I really, really enjoy working of Eintracht Frankfurt who having been 2-0 down. peals were waved away. departing amid disagreements record of 40 goals very much in the later game with an em- with the team. host Mainz on Sunday. Second-bottom Cologne Sancho then made it 2-0 with sporting director Hasan in his sights. phatic 6-0 triumph at home to “We have a team with Third-placed Wolfsburg welcome Freiburg on Sunday early in the second period Salihamidzic and speculation A late red card for Tanguy Borussia Moenchengladbach. enormous quality.” Dort- look well set to achieve their when fellow relegation can- when he fired home amid lax linking him to the Germany Nianzou for a professional Robert Lewandowski mund’s Jadon Sancho scored European dream after a 3-0 didates Hertha Berlin and Leipzig defending. job vacant after Euro 2020. foul was the only blemish for scored a hat-trick to move twice, including a late winner win over Union Berlin. Werder Arminia Bielefeld also meet. Lukas Klostermann head- All but one of Bayern’s na- Bayern, with Leroy Sane then onto 39 goals for the season which not only sealed the ti- Bremen, who had lost seven VfB Stuttgart beat strug- ed in a corner to reduce the def- tional titles have come in the making it 6-0.

LA LIGA TITLE RACE Bayern end short Flick era with another trophy Advantage Real as Atletico Madrid and – but all is not well Barcelona draw in disappointing clash Javi Martinez is also departing while a decision is due DPA on the future of Robert Le- Barcelona wandowski’s striking back-up Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting. La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid Lewandowski is hoping to drew 0-0 at Barcelona, handing break Gerd Mueller’s record control of the title race to Real of 40 goals in a Bundesliga Madrid on Saturday. season. But even the future of If Zinedine Zidane’s Real the great Pole must be in the win their final four matches, board’s minds with him turn- starting with the clash against ing 33 in August. Sevilla on Sunday, they will be Nagelsmann might at least champions. find comfort in knowing who Ousmane Dembele might Bayern Munich’s German head he reports to in Bayern’s upper have won it for Barcelona, who coach Hans-Dieter Flick reacts echelons. Reports say Flick moved second on 75 points during the match v Borussia fell out with sporting director from 35 games, but headed on Saturday. (AFP) Hasan Salihamidzic but an- over late on. other problem was that chief Atletico lead with 77 points DPA executive Karl Heinz-Rum- from 35, while Real Madrid, Berlin menigge is stepping down at third, are on 74 but have the end of the year. played a game less. Bayern Munich sealed a Oliver Kahn will take over Lionel Messi fired over ninth straight Bundesliga title but the confusion of who is in a free-kick in the final stag- on Saturday but any party at- charge played perhaps a role es, but Barcelona’s captain mosphere was slightly stilted. in Flick’s unhappiness. Nagels- could not help Ronald Koe- Hansi Flick, who was only mann knows he can go straight man’s team muscle into first appointed as coach in No- to Kahn from January. position. vember 2019, won the treble Bayern have not been ex- Atletico now need to win in a Covid-19-hit campaign traordinary this season. They their remaining games and last term. This season he has have had to fight back from go- hope rivals Real drop points picked up two Super Cups, the ing a goal down too often. The to win the title after this tight, Club World Cup and now an- Champions League last-eight tense but ultimately fruitless other Bundesliga crown. exit to Paris Saint Germain, battle at Camp Nou. “The club will always be who they beat in last season’s “It’s a shame as we wanted Atletico Madrid’s Spanish defender Mario Hermoso (left) vies with Barcelona’s Argentinian forward Lionel Messi at the Camp Nou stadium in special to me,” Flick said. final, was a tight affair and the three points to try to stay Barcelona on Saturday. The match ended in a goalless draw. (AFP) Despite this, he is walking Flick cannot be blamed de- in the fight for La Liga, but we away, worn down by board- spite the uneasy air at the club. have to continue,” said Barce- started slowly and things got Stegen was kept busy, while dribbled past several Atletico Pique’s header. room power struggles about The German Cup loss to lona defender Ronald Araujo. worse for them when Sergio Clement Lenglet did well to players. Earlier Alaves drew 2-2 at transfers after a relatively second-tier Holstein Kiel was “There are three games to Busquets was forced off with a block Angel Correa’s strike. In the second half the ten- Levante, with Cadiz hosting short period of time. a clear case of tiredness. Hav- go, there’s a lot at stake and head injury. At the other end Jan Oblak sion rose but neither side were Huesca and Athletic Bilbao His successor Julian ing almost played non-stop we will play these games to try Atletico began to dominate clawed away a Messi effort, af- able to find a breakthrough, welcoming Osasuna later on Nagelsmann, whose current since the coronavirus hiatus and win the title.” Barcelona the ball and Marc-Andre ter ter the Argentina forward had with Oblak keeping out Gerard Saturday. side RB Leipzig are second, ended in May last year, Flick will be wary of getting into has worked wonders. the same battles with the hi- There remains very little erarchy which Flick decided competition for Bayern in the Real, Barcelona and Juventus defend Super League after UEFA threats he could not win. But argu- Bundesliga but it still needed ably, questions about player to be won. The sad part for Berlin: Real Madrid, Barcelona and “This is intolerable under the rule of ambitions. Six English clubs, along with ing “financial stability” to theE uropean recruitment will be even more Flick is that he has achieved Juventus defended the Super League in law and tribunals have already ruled in Atletico Madrid, Inter and AC Milan, with- football community. crucial during Nagelsmann’s all this success without any a joint statement on Saturday after Euro- favour of the Super League proposal, drew from the breakaway league almost They said they’re “fully aware of the reign given a big turnover of fans in the stands. Letters pean ruling body UEFA threatened them ordering FIFA and UEFA to, either directly as soon as it was announced last month diversity of reactions” to the initiative players in the coming months. have replaced chants. with sanctions. or through their affiliated bodies, refrain amid fan pressure. and that they’re ready to “reconsider Defenders David Alaba “I have received a lot of The statement said the 12 founding from taking any action which may hinder The three remaining teams rein- the proposed approach.” However, the and Jerome Boateng are leav- mail from fans and I will try to clubs have suffered “unacceptable third- this initiative in any way while court pro- forced their conviction that they created clubs added it would be irresponsible ing and although Leipzig’s answer all of them. I promise party pressures, threats, and offences” ceedings are pending,” the clubs said. the Super League to provide solutions to abandon such a “mission to provide Dayot Upamecano has been that. The letters went to the to abandon the project and “therefore Out of the original dozen clubs, Real “to the current unsustainable situation effective and sustainable answers to the lined up for next term, there heart and I want to thank the desist from their right and duty to provide Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus have so in the football industry” and ensure the existential questions that threaten the are plenty more holes to fill. fans for that,” Flick said. solutions to the football ecosystem.” far not given up on their Super League sport survives in the long-term, bring- football industry.” (dpa) 14 Sunday, May 9, 2021 Sports

Sabalenka shocks ON TOP OF THE FORMULA ONE WORLD Barty to claim Madrid crown DPA/WTA ond set, refusing to let Barty en- Madrid gineer her way to another title. The trophy is Sabalenka’s Aryna Sabalenka turned the second of the season following tables on Ashleigh Barty to Abu Dhabi in January, fourth win the Madrid Open title on in the past 12 months and 10th Saturday. in total. The Belarusian will Two weeks ago, Barty break the Top 5 for the first came from a set down to de- time next week as a result. feat Sabalenka in the final of Barty had beaten Sabalen- the WTA event in Stuttgart, ka in three sets in both the Mi- and it looked as if history ami quarterfinals last month would repeat itself when the and the Stuttgart final two world number one assumed weeks ago. The Australian was the momentum going into the also on a 16-match red clay deciding set here. winning streak, and had won But Sabalenka, one of the her past 10 clashes against Top biggest hitters on tour, pow- 10 opposition. ered her way through the final But Sabalenka ended both three games for a 6-0, 3-6, 6-4 those streaks emphatically triumph and a 10th career title. and levelled the head-to-head Barty had not lost a match at four apiece. Impressively, on red clay for nearly two the 23-year-old not only dis- years since before she won her played a near-unplayable peak maiden grand slam title at Ro- level in a dominant first set, land Garros in 2019. but managed to out-compete She had no answer to the one of the game’s finest tacti- power of her 23-year-old Be- cians deep into a third set. larusian opponent in the first Sabalenka had been in set here, though, as Sabalenka phenomenal form leading up produced the shots that have to the final, dropping just 18 seen her tipped as a future slam games in five matches, and be- champion for several years. gan in the same vein. A flaw- Sabalenka appears closer less opening act saw Sabalen- to that than ever now and ka strike 11 winners, commit she will hit a new career-high only one unforced error and ranking of four on Monday. land 75% of her first serves. Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton (centre) is congratuled by Red Bull’s Dutch driver Max Verstappen (left) beside Mercedes’ Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas after the qualifying Just as impressive as her The result was the first bagel session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo on the outskirts of Barcelona ahead of the Spanish Formula One Grand Prix on Saturday. (AFP) first-set dominance was the set Barty had received in four way she recomposed herself af- years, and just the eighth of her ter her level dropped in the sec- entire professional career. Hamilton secures 100th career pole in Spain

DPA Mercedes will start Sunday’s Most All-time opponents were faster on the Barcelona race in third and believes it second attempt. INCREDIBLE will be “very close” between Formula One Pole “It’s down to the men and Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes his team and Red Bull. Position Winners women back at the factory, I can’t believe we’re at beat Red Bull’s Max Verstap- “I lost a tenth or two in it’s been a dream to work with 100. I’m ecstatic! It’s pen to secure his 100th career Turn 10 which was marginal 100 – x – Lewis Hamilton, Britain these guys,” Hamilton said. like my first! Formula One pole position for the pole,” he said. 68 – Michael Schumacher, Germany Ferrari also saw Carlos at the Spanish Grand Prix on Verstappen said Red Bull 65 – Ayrton Senna, Brazil Sainz sixth quickest, and will Lewis Hamilton Saturday. is working very hard to beat 57 – x – Sebastian Vettel, Germany have both cars ahead of mid- Hamilton has long held the Mercedes in Spain, and he 33 – Jim Clark, Britain field opponents McLaren, record after beating Michael “can be happy” with second on who had Daniel Ricciardo in of high-risk countries on Fri- Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka poses for a selfie with her fitness coach Jason Schumacher’s 68 career pole the grid. 33 – Alain Prost, France seventh and Lando Norris in day. This could affect the Turk- Stacy after beating Australia’s Ashleigh Barty during their 2021 WTA positions, while he still aims “I need to make sure to 32 – Nigel Mansell, Britain ninth. ish Grand Prix on June 13. Tour Madrid Open final at the Caja Magica in Madrid on Saturday.( AFP) to beat four-time world cham- have a good start - the pace is 30 – Nico Rosberg, Germany Vettel will start the race “In the next two weeks we pion Sebastian Vettel’s record there so we should have a good 29 – Juan Manuel Fangio, Argentina 13th in his Aston Martin car, will understand what the di- of 15 poles in a season. race as well,” he added. 26 – Mika Hakkinen, Finland while rookie Mick Schumach- rection will be. The seven-time world Charles Leclerc of Ferrari er will be 18th on the grid. The goal is to keep this cal- champion clocked 1 minute and Esteban Ocon of Alpine 24 – Niki Lauda, Austria In view of the current trav- endar with the same number Zverev sees off 16.741 seconds around the close the top five on the start- 24 – Nelson Piquet, Brazil el restrictions due to the pan- of races,” Domenicali said. 4.655-kilometre Circuit de ing grid. (Note: x-active) demic, F1 chief Stefano Do- The F1 boss added that in- Barcelona-Catalunya, with “Happy with today, I don’t menicali told Sky Sports Italy cluding Ferrari’s home track Thiem to reach final Verstappen only 0.036 sec- think there was much more windy and changing weather they want to keep the racing Mugello on the calendar is onds behind. to do in terms of positions for conditions, but delivered calendar of 23 grands prix as “not a topic on the agenda.” DPA ably Novak (Djokovic) second, “I can’t believe we’re at sure,” Leclerc said. when it mattered. it is, but have other options if Defending champion Madrid Dominic a close third. It’s been 100. I’m ecstatic! It’s like my Hamilton was pushed all The Briton led the way needed. Hamilton leads the champi- so far a good week for me. first!,”H amilton said. the way by his team-mate Bot- after the opening runs in Q3 The British government onship after three races, eight Alexander Zverev backed “The job is not done yet. Valtteri Bottas in the other tas and Verstappen, facing and neither himself, nor his added Turkey to the “red list” points ahead of Verstappen. up his upset of Rafael Nadal I hope I can continue playing by defeating Dominic Thiem and performing the way I am.” on Saturday to reach the final Thiem was playing his of the Madrid Open. firsttournament for nearly QFA participates in Zverev is looking for his two months after deciding he first Masters title since he got needed a break, and the world WAFF Financial Manchester City celebrations stall as the better of Thiem in the final number four exceeded his own in the Spanish capital three expectations by making the Committee meeting years ago. last four. QNA The Austrian had won all “In general I’m super hap- Doha Aguero aberration lets Chelsea win four of their meetings since, py with the week,” he said. “I including in the final of the SU would have never expected to Qatar Football Association DPA Open last year, but this was be in the semi-finals, to play (QFA) took part in the first London Zverev’s day as he celebrated a in the semi-finals a player like meeting of the Financial Com- 6-3 6-4 victory. him. I cannot complain about mittee of the West Asian Foot- Manchester City’s Pre- He said of his back-to-back anything. ball Federation (WAFF) which mier League title celebrations scalps: “They’re probably the “Of course, there are many was held via videoconference. were delayed by a 2-1 defeat to two clay-courters that you things to improve for next Qatar Football Association Chelsea on Saturday in a re- think of right now when you’re week and then for the weeks was represented at the meet- hearsal of this month’s Cham- thinking about Roland Gar- after, as well. Just try to get ing by QFA Secretary-General pions League final. ros and the biggest chances of to Rome, get some good prac- Mansour Al Ansari. Pep Guardiola’s side are on winning. tices in there, then hopefully During the meeting, the the brink of a third champion- “Obviously Rafa is the fa- play even better than here in Committee ratified the finan- ship in four seasons but could vourite, no matter what. Prob- Madrid.” cial statements of the recent not complete the job at the Eti- past and future years, and re- had Stadium after Sergio Ague- viewed the financial condition ro allowed Edouard Mendy to of the Federation and the esti- save a tame spot-kick. mated budget for 2021. That effort would have add- The Committee also re- ed a swift second to Raheem viewed the decision of the Ex- Sterling’s breakthrough strike ecutive Office of the Federation on the stroke of half-time. Manchester City’s Argentinian striker Sergio Aguero looks on from his seat having been substituted during during its last meeting related Instead, Chelsea rallied the English Premier League match against Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester on Saturday. (AFP) to imposing financial fees on after the interval and scored the federations participating through Hakim Ziyech - their Andreas Christensen mis- However, as Thomas Tuchel ner but were twice denied by in the futsal championships, in FA Cup semi-final hero against judged a bouncing ball and was fumed at the officials, a dreadful the offside flag. Timo Werner order to cover the costs of the City - and then, in the final sec- brushed aside by Gabriel Je- Panenka attempt from Aguero had already strayed before tournaments as they are not onds, Marcos Alonso to boost sus, who squared for Aguero in was gathered by Mendy. netting in the first half and did subject to the support provided their top-four aspirations and front of an open goal, only for The shortcomings of the so again, before a closer call by the International Federa- keep the leaders waiting, un- Sterling to sweep into the net City system were then laid kept substitute Callum Hud- tion and have no financial al- able yet to turn their focus to when his team-mate dallied. bare shortly after the hour son-Odoi off the scoresheet. locations. In this regard, the the European showpiece. Aguero did not have to mark when Rodri - their sole City furiously appealed for Committee agreed to a recom- Although Guardiola’s puz- wait long for his next chance, central midfielder - lost out a second penalty when Ster- mendation that authorizes the zling 3-3-4 formation initially as Christensen hobbled off to Ziyech and left space for a ling went down under pres- Chairman of the Finance Com- had Chelsea on back foot, it was and Jesus tangled with Billy Chelsea attack which ended sure from Kurt Zouma, but Germany’s Alexander Zverev celebrates his win over Austria’s Dominic mittee to set fees for each tour- a defensive mishap rather than Gilmour before Chelsea were with the same man arrowing a the final twist was in Chelsea’s Thiem at the ATP Tour Madrid Open semi-final at the Caja Magica in nament when the hosting asso- a tactical manoeuvre that forged able to introduce a substitute, low finish beyondE derson. favour as Alonso’s scuffed Madrid on Saturday. (AFP) ciation is determined. the opening on 44 minutes. prompting a City penalty. Chelsea pushed for a win- shot looped over Ederson. Sports Sunday, May 9, 2021 15 Al Shaqab Racing’s Qaysar wins listed Pertemps Network Spring Trophy Stakes at Haydock

Tribune News Network trained and Hector Crouch- Doha ridden Tomefre (Cable Bay x Kurtanella) (GB) was the Al Shaqab Racing’s Qaysar runner-up while the Brian (FR) (Choisir x Coco Demure) Meehan-trained and Dane landed the Listed Pertemps O’Neill-ridden Raaeq (IRE) Network Spring Trophy (Kingman x Jamaayel) was Stakes at Haydock, UK, on two lengths further back in Saturday opening his score in third. 2021. Qaysar, who was a pur- The 6-year-old gelding, chase in the Arqana Breeze trained by Richard Hannon, Up Sale as a 2-year-old, has was steered by Joe Fanning now a record of nine wins to stay on gamely to win the7f for 29 starts. Being the son Class 1 contest for three-year- of Choisir, he is half-brother olds and older comfortably by of Al Shaqab Racing’s Group 1 ¼ lengths. 1 winner and renowned sire Qaysar and Joe Fanning won the Pertemps Network Spring Trophy at Haydock in UK on Saturday. (Pic: Steve Davies) The Ralph Beckett- Olympic Glory. Abid dismantles Zimbabwe with maiden Test double ton Hosts 52-4 in Al Shaqab Racing’s Umran won the Prix Djerba Oua at Dax in France Scoreboard on Saturday. (Pic: Robert Polin) reply to Pakistan (1st innings: Overnight 268-4) Imran Butt c Tiripano b Ngarava 2 Pakistan’s Abid Ali not out 215 Azhar Ali c Shumba b Muzarabani 126 Al Shaqab Racing’s Umran 510-8decl Babar Azam c Kasuza b Muzarabani 2 Fawad Alam b Muzarabani 5 Agencies Sajid Khan c Chakabva b Tiripano 20 continues winning spree, Harare Mohammad Rizwan c Ngarava b Chisoro 21 Hasan Ali c Chakabva b Jongwe 0 Nauman Ali st Chakabva b Chisoro 97 tops Prix Djerba Oua Pakistan regained momen- Extras: (b7, lb8, nb2, w5) 22 tum on day two with Abid Ali’s Total: (For 8 wkts decl, 147.1 overs) 510 Did not bat: Shaheen Shah Afridi, Tabish Khan. Tribune News Network han. Umran eventually won resolute first Test double cen- Fall of wickets: 1-12 (Butt), 2-248 (Azhar), 3-252 Doha the 7f Class 3 run for 4YO+ tury (215*) and Nauman Ali’s (Babar), 4-264 (Fawad), 5-303 (Sajid), 6-340 Purebred Arabians by a length. counter-attacking 97 at Ha- (Rizwan), 7-341 (Hasan), 8-510 (Nauman). Victorious at Mons on April This marked the four-year- rare Sports Club on Saturday. Bowling: Muzarabani 29-6-82-3 (1w), Ngarava 24-5-58-1 (2nb, 1w), Jongwe 17-1-68-1, Tiripano 1, Umran (FR) again did the Al old colt’s third win as he also Zimbabwe were reduced 22-5-83-1 (2w), Chisoro 40.1-7-131-2, Shumba Shaqab Racing colours proud shone in Toulouse last year. to 52/4 after Pakistan posted 15-1-73-0. by taking the Prix Djerba Oua Bred by Al Shaqab Racing, a monumental first-innings Zimbabwe (1st innings) at Dax in France on Saturday. Umran is from the first crop of total of 510/8d. They trail by K. Kasuza b Hasan Ali 4 T. Musakanda lbw b Tabish Khan 0 The Elisabeth Bernard Mister Ginoux. Dixie Darlene 458 runs. R. Chakabva not out 28 runner, having benefited from (Wiking), the dam, won a Gr They got off to a poor B. Taylor c Mohammad Rizwan b Shaheen Afridi 9 Gary Sanchez’s claim, initially PA 3 race in the US, and she start with debutant Tabish M. Shumba lbw b Sajid Khan 2 stalked the leader Ainhoa Da- has foaled no less than three Khan, who already has 598 T. Chisoro not out 1 Extras: (b4, lb3, w1) 8 mili. After taking the latter’s Gr 1 PA winners, Dixies De- first-class wickets in the bag, Total: (For 4 wkts, 30 overs) 52 measure 400m from the post, light (Sam Tiki), Dixies Valen- rocked the opener Tarisai To bat: R. Kaia, L. Jongwe, D. Tiripano, B. Muzarabani, he was not hard pressed to tine (Nivour de Cardonne) and Musakanda in his first over. R. Ngarava; Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Musakanda), 2-23 (Kasuza), 3-40 (Taylor), 4-47 (Shumba). contain the attack of Hispa- Grilla (Kong). Musakanda was trapped leg Bowling: Shaheen Afridi 9-3-16-1 (1w), Tabish Khan before wicket for a duck. 10-3-22-1, Hasan Ali 6-3-7-1, Nauman Ali 2-2-0-0, Hasan Ali then took the Sajid Khan 3-3-0-1. liberty to knock over the stumps of the other Zimba- bwe opener, Kevin Kasuza for 4 runs. Shaheen Afridi got rid of their captain Brendan Tay- lor with a surprised bouncer which cramped him for room as he ended up edging the ball to Rizwan. Subsequently, Sajid Khan Pakistan’s Abid Ali celebrates his double century on the second day of the second Test against Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club on Saturday. (ICC) dismissed Milton Shumba (2) who was adjudged leg before as a nightwatchman and ful- snared his maiden Test scalp ers who had regained control Nauman was dismissed by wicket as he offered no shot. filled his duty to defend his of Hasan Ali who returned to after the first session. The duo a brilliant display of wicket- Regis Chakabva’s solitary ef- way through. His knock of 20 the pavilion without denting stitched together a belligerent keeping by Chakabva who pe- forts of 28* in 71 balls has off 54 balls was brought to an the scorecard. partnership of 169 in 199 balls. nalised the batsman for hover- shown a glimmer of hope for end by Tiripano who got him Zimbabwe restored the bal- Abid was unfazed by wick- ing his backfoot off Chisoro’s a fightback but he would need out caught. ance with three crucial wickets falling at the other end and bowling. assistance from the other end Abid was joined by Mo- ets and reducing Pakistan to continued to build on his start. Pakistan declared the in- to challenge Pakistan’s strong hammad Rizwan who made a 353/7 in the morning session He registered a dominating nings for a mammoth first Al Shaqab Racing’s Nagano goes one better 2nd time out winning Prix pace attack. quick 21 in 32 deliveries but despite conceding 85 runs. maiden Test double hundred, innings total of 510/8 imme- Du Petit Chantilly Earlier in the day, Paki- became the maiden Test wick- Nauman Ali combined remaining unbeaten on 215* diately after Nauman’s dis- stan resumed their innings et of Tendai Chisoro. Thereaf- forces with Abid to retaliate in 407 deliveries. missal, two balls into the final Al Shaqab Racing’s Nagano on 268/4. Sajid had come in ter, Luke Jongwe on his debut against the Zimbabwe bowl- Just shy of a hundred, session. goes one better 2nd time out, wins Prix Du Petit Chantilly BCCI’s WTC plan: 8-day bubble in India, 10-day Tribune News Network the last strides between her and Doha Particuliere Dream but Nagano with Tristan Baron in the sad- quarantine in UK from June 2, families to travel Al Shaqab Racing’s homebred dle, Tristan Baron managed to Nagano (FR) opened her ac- snatch victory by a nose. ANI come into the bubble on May India squad in Trent Bridge from August The BCCI on Friday named count at the second attempt, Bred by Al Shaqab Racing, New Delhi 25 as it will be an 8-day quaran- 4. The players will have their a 20-member squad (two sub- winning the Prix Du Petit Nagano is a daughter of that tine period which will not just Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Mayank families travelling with them,” ject to fitness clearance) which Chantilly, a maiden for three- concern’s sire Olympic Glory Virat Kohli and boys’ prepa- involve testing against COV- Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli the official said. will also have four standby year-olds over 1,800 metres. and Barenia (Zamindar). ration for the upcoming World ID-19, but also there will not be (Captain), Ajinkya Rahane (vice-captain), Another important area of players. Of the four standby The Matthieu Brasme- The latter has already Test Championship finalany movement as the boys pre- Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keep- focus is the vaccination pro- players, three are fast bowl- trained filly began her career produced a previous winner, against New Zealand in the pare for the UK schedule. er), R. Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, cess and the official said it will ers -- Prasidh Krishna, Avesh Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant with a second place at Montlu- Rosehill (Australia). Barenia is UK -- from June 18 – will start “Once in UK on June 2, the Sharma, Mohd. Shami, Md. Siraj, Shardul need some more time before a Khan, Arzan Nagwaswalla. con on 18 April. The battle for currently plying her trade as a on May 25 when they enter the boys will go for another 10-day Thakur, Umesh Yadav, KL Rahul (subject to clear picture can be drawn. Asked about their role as the lead was very competitive in broodmare in Qatar. bio-bubble created for them quarantine. But this time the fitness clearance), Wriddhiman Saha (wick- “The Indian government the main squad already has six here in India itself. cricketers can train as they are et-keeper; subject to fitness clearance). has opened vaccination for fast bowlers in Jasprit Bum- The 8-day bubble will be fol- moving from the bubble in In- Standby: Abhimanyu Easwaran, Prasidh every person above 18 so the rah, Ishant Sharma, Md. Sha- lowed by another 10-day quar- dia to the bubble in England Krishna, Avesh Khan, Arzan Nagwaswalla. players can take their first dose. mi, Md. Siraj, Shardul Thakur PSL 6: UAE ‘preferred venue’, says PCB antine in the UK before the boys in a charter plane. A bubble to But the second dose is the ques- and Umesh Yadav, the official take on the Kiwis in Southamp- bubble move lets them train ficial saidthat will see the tion here and while the BCCI is said the standby players would Lahore: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the six franchise ton. Speaking to ANI, a BCCI even though there will be con- players being allowed to travel looking at working closely with double up as net bowlers. owners met on Friday virtually to discuss the remaining 20 matches official in the know of the road- tinuous testing at all times,” with their families. the England and Wales Cricket “See, six fast bowlers in the of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) six. The group had a 360-degree map drawn for the WTC final the official explained. “Not just the duration of Board to ensure players can get main squad should be good discussion, which also considered feedback from the National Com- and the five-matchT est series Considering that the team the tour, the COVID-19 re- a second dose in the UK, if that enough unless you are unfortu- mand and Operation Centre. UAE emerged as a preferred venue for against England said that it will ends the fifth Test against strictions also mean you can- is not approved by the UK gov- nate and have multiple injuries. the remaining 20 matches during the conference. Since the Paki- be a case of breaking the quar- England on September 14 -- not move around the place. ernment, we will have the vac- So, these three will double up stan team has to depart for UK on June 23, the PCB will check with antine period into two parts so final day of the fifth Test -- in There will be more than a cine taken from India for the as net bowlers while keeping Emirates Cricket Baord if the event can be successfully delivered that players can start training Manchester, it will be more month’s gap between the Test second dose. Let’s see how that preparations on to be ready to within the available time. (ANI) once in the UK on June 2. than 3 months that the boys Championship final and the works out in the coming days,” be drafted into the main squad if “You can expect the boys to will be in the UK and the of- opening Test against England the official explained. needed,” the official said.