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SUNDAY 13 DECEMBER 2020 CoachC Misbah ul-Haq: Pakistan cconsidered abandoning NZ tour WeW did discuss (pulling out of the tour) but then finally decidedd to say no to this option because when you invest this muchm time on this, then you have got to give it a shot.

Pakistan cricket coach Misbah ul-Haq Sport |06

QATAR SENIOR MEN'S BASKETBALL LEAGUE: Al Sadd Sports Club beat Al Shamal 79-75, Qatar Sports Club beat Al Khor 78-72 Unstoppable Al Attiyah clinches Hail Baja 1 THE PENINSULA – HAIL, SAUDI ARABIA Jubbah and headed west of Hail before Denis Krotov (Mini) and into eighth in issues thwarted Lorenço Rosa. looping through the desert to finish the overall standings, but the Saudi Czech driver Martop Prokop had Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah held his nerve close to the village of Q’na. There were driver had the superb consolation of been unable to start Hail Baja 1, but to set a second successive fastest time two passage controls after 147.29km a useful victory in the FIA T3 category the former WRC was permitted and seal victory in Hail Baja 1, round and 261.46km. in his Can-Am. to take part in the second leg of the four of the FIA World Cup for Cross- The leading quartet were closely Dutchman Kees Koolen finished National Rally for testing purposes. Country Bajas, yesterday. matched through the opening check- in 13th place and first in the FIA T4 Yamaha’s Adrien van Beveren Despite opening the road on the points with Al Attiyah holding a slight section in his South Racing Can-Am delivered another polished per- 275.54lkm stage and having the extra advantage over Sainz, despite opening Maverick X3. He was second best on formance on his pre-Dakar test to burden of navigation, the Toyota Hilux the road and relying heavily on Mat- the day’s stage to a resurgent Aron crush his amateur rivals in the motor- driver and his French navigator Mat- thieu Baumel’s precise navigation. He Domzala, but the Pole’s first day woes cycle category. The Frenchman won thieu Baumel stayed ahead of closest gradually extended that advantage as had given Koolen a massive cushion the stage by 23min 16sec from Konrad rivals Carlos Sainz and Stéphane the stage progressed to seal the win. and he duly closed the gap on his rival Dabrowski to record a winning margin Peterhansel to win the stage by 3min Russian Vladimir Vasilyev moved for the FIA T4 title. over the Pole of 48min 25sec. Saudi 20sec and seal a winning margin of ahead of Dutchman Bernhard Ten Khalifa Al Attiyah, the brother of rider Mishal Al Ghuneim finished a 6min 10sec. Brinke in the battle for the FIA Bajaj overall event winner Nasser,, was third distant third. HAIL BAJA 1 – FIA (SS2): Al Attiyah said: “It was a good day Drivers’Drivers’s titie.titie. ThThee duo finifinishedshed HHailail in the category butbut techtech-- Riyadh Saud Al Shammeri won hishis 1. Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah (QAT)/Matthieu Baumel for us. We believed in our speed. We BajaBaB ja 1 inin fifthfifth andand sixth positionspositions and nical second successive stage to cconfirmono firmrm (FRA) Toyota Hilux: 6hr 14min 27sec opened the road but we only had one thethe outcomeoutcome of thethe ttitleitle race will now victory in ttheheh qquaduau d cacat-at- 2. Carlos Sainz (ESP)/Lucas Cruz (ESP) MINI JCW way and that was to push. We make be ddecidedece ided atat the finalfinal round egory onn hhisiss YYamaha.ammahaha.a. Buggy: 6hr 20min 37sec incredible stage without mistake, no ono DecemberDece emmbeb r 14-16.141 -116. 3. Stéphane Peterhansel (FRA)/Edouard Boulanger problems and no punctures. I am SalehSaSaleeh Al SSaifaif mamayy hahaveve (FRA) MINI JCW Buggy: 6hr 23min 26sec happy to win Baja 1. Now we have two slippedslslipppped behindbeehihinnd RRussia’sussia’s 4. Yazeed Al Rajhi (SAU)/Ditk von Zitzewitz (DEU) days of rest. Baja 2 will be different Toyota Hilux Overdrive: 6hr 29min 15sec but we try to do our best. Third win in 14. Jakub Przygonski (POL)/Timo Gottschalk (DEU) Hail and hopefully the fourth one is Toyota Hilux Overdrive: 7hr 48min 04sec coming very soon..” 15. Khalifa Al Attiyah (QAT)/Paulo Ceci (ITA) Sainz and Peterhansel were Can-Am Maverick X3: 7hr 49min 05sec closely matched throughout the chal- lenging stage in the two new Mini John HAIL BAJA 1 – BIKES (SS2): Cooper Works Buggies and reached 1. Adrien van Beveren (FRA) Yamaha 450 the finish in second and third overall. WRF: 5hr 38min 22sec Double Dakar and WRC series 2. Konrad Dabrowski (POL) KTM 450 winner Sainz said: “All is okay, no Rally Replica: 6hr 26min 47sec problem. We keep planning and we 3. Mishal Al Ghuneim (SAU) KTM 450 will try a couple more things a day Rally: 6hr 57min 33sec after tomorrow.” Five-time Hail Rally winner HAIL BAJA 1 – QUADS (SS2): Yazeed Al Rajhi had to settle for fourth 1. Riyadh Saud Al Shammeri (SAU) Yamaha place on the first of the Bajas, the YFZ 450: 7hr 08min 14sec Saudi driver finishing 14min 48sec 2. Abdulmajeed Al Khulaifi (SAU) Yamaha 700: 7hr 12min 06sec behind his winning Toyota Qatar's Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah driving his Toyota Hilux during the Hail Baja 1, round 3. Waliad Al Nahath (SAU) Yamaha Raptor 700: team-mate. four of the FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Bajas, yesterday. The second stage began close to 7hr 52min 08sec ACL: Debutants seek semi-final joy against Hyundai

AFC/THE PENINSULA – DOHA confirmed, coach Miura rotated his squad in consec- Having plied their trade in the utive 2-0 defeats which did second tier of Japanese little to impact their final football as recently as 2013, standing at the summit of the Vissel Kobe have defied all group. odds to reach the 2020 AFC Having edged Champions League (East) Evergrande in the group stage, semi-final where they lock another Chinese powerhouse horns with Korea Republic’s awaited Vissel Kobe in the Ulsan Hyundai FC at Jassim Round of 16, and they proved Al Sadd's players in action during a pre-match training session yesterday. Bin Hamad Stadium today. A two-time AFC Asian Cup equal to the challenge as After winning their first- winner with , Miura led Andres Iniesta and ever Emperor’s Cup title in the team to top Group G with scored either side of the half 2019 to earn their AFC Cham- two matches to spare. time break to propel them past Al Sadd look to extend winning pions League debut, Vissel Vissel Kobe had arrived in Shanghai SIPG. Kobe had a 2020 domestic Doha with three points to their The quarter-final draw season full of ups and downs. name from a 1-0 win over brought about a replay of their run as QSL Round 9 kicks off The port city club added encounter with Suwon the Japanese in back in February, and the Samsung Bluewings, and CHINTHANA WASALA Xavi’s opposite number, Al February, defeating withdrawal of Malaysia’s Johor despite going down to an early THE PENINSULA Gharafa coach Slavisa Jokanovic F. Marinos on a Darul Ta’zim meant the Jap- goal, Furuhashi was again on is aware of the strength of the penalty shootout, but ended anese side needed just three scoring duty, sending an intel- Unbeaten Al Sadd are looking to former champions who possess a the season in a dis- more points to top the group. ligent free-kick underneath extend gap at the top of the QNB number of players who also rep- appointing 12th place. The points were duly the wall for the equaliser. Stars League Standings when they resent the country at international The league results con- secured with an emphatic All of 120 minutes were host Al Gharafa in their Round 9 TODAY'S FIXTURES level. tributed to the departure of display against Guangzhou not enough to separate the encounter today. Al Sadd VS Al Gharafa “This will be a difficult march German boss , Evergrande as Kyogo Furu- sides but Vissel Kobe players The match kicks off at 5.30pm. At Al Duhail Stadium (5:15pm) because we are playing a side that who was replaced by former hashi netted at both ends and kept their composure, scoring The eagerly-awaited clash Al Duhail VS Al Arabi has many national team players. sporting director Atsuhiro late goals from Douglas and all their efforts from the spot between Al Sadd and Al Gharafa, It is considered as the best team At Al Duhail Stadium (7:45pm) Miura just two months before Andres Iniesta sealed a 3-1 win to seal a 7-6 penalty shootout the top-two teams in the in the league with solid players for Al Sailiya VS Qatar SC the restart of the continental over Fabio Cannavaro’s men. win and book a date with standings, is the marquee every level they compete in. Their At Al Ahli Stadium (7:45pm) campaign in Doha. With qualification Ulsan Hyundai in the encounter of the week. Top- players have been appearing TOMORROW semi-final. placed Al Sadd (22) are four points together for a long time,” Al Khor VS Al Wakrah Vissel Kobe goalkeeper “Tomorrow we play clear of second-placed Al Gharafa Jokanovic said during a press con- Hiroki Iikura in action against an Ulsan Hyundai who have accumulated 18 points. At Al Ahli Stadium (5:30pm) ference yesterday. during a practice session. team whom we know is a Both teams are in great form, Al Ahli VS Al Kharaitiyat However, the Serbian said his Pic: Twitter/@VisselKobe strong team with quality Al Sadd defeating Al Wakrah 4-1 At Al Ahli Stadium (7:45pm) team will be ready for the players. Our preparations for and Al Gharafa blanking Al Ahli Al Rayyan VS Umm Salal challenge. tomorrow’s match did not start 4-0 to swap positions with the At Al Duhail Stadium (7:45pm) “From our side, the prepara- after the quarter-final, we Wolves’ coach Xavi Hernandez tions have gone well. I hope we have been preparing for every expecting a tough game today. “I’ll only tell the players to remain in a good competitive step of this competition since “It will be a strong and difficult focus first on facing Al Gharafa mood. We will see what happens we were in Japan, so we want match considering that Al Sadd (and not focus on the Amir Cup next. You know every match to show our quality on the and Al Gharafa are the best in on December 18). In my carries a different story. We will pitch and play a good game so League, which means it will be view, it is very important to win try to take advantage of the we can go further,” said Miura. like a final and both teams need the league title because we fin- position that we are in at the Should Vissel Kobe reach the three points. Both sides want ished last season in third place moment,” the former Fulham FC the 2020 AFC Champions to maintain their level,” Xavi said even though we deserved better. manager added. League final, they would during a pre-match press con- Now we are playing excellent In another games today, title become the first debutants to ference yesterday. football and we have enough time holders Al Duhail take on Al Arabi achieve that feat since Western This will be Al Sadd’s last to think about the Amir Cup final, with eye on a spot among the top Wanderers in 2014. match before the Amir Cup final but not at this moment. I would four. Al Duhail who have slipped They would also extend a against Al Arabi which will be say we have another final against to the 6th position in the standings, proud record for Japanese played on December 18, so a pos- Al Gharafa. We must be at the top will be keen to make up for the clubs who have been involved itive outcome in today’s match of our game and be 100% ready lost ground. in every AFC Champions will be a morale-boosting factor to win and collect points,” said Al Sailiya and Qatar SC meet League final since 2017. for Xavi’s men. Xavi. in the third fixture of the day. SUNDAY 13 DECEMBER 2020 SPORT 07

Minister of Culture and Sports, H E Salah bin Ghanem Al Ali, and Chairman Russia’s of the Qatar and Asian Equestrian Federations, Hamad bin Abdulrahman Al Attiyah, posing for a photograph withTeam Al Namaa afterAl Shaqab Racing's homebred horse won the Late Sheikh Jassim Bin Mohammed Al Kremlev Thani Trophy & Cup (Gr2) yesterday. elected World Boxing President

AP – LAUSANNE

Umar Kremlev of Russia was elected president of the troubled International Boxing Association yesterday despite clear concerns of Olympic offi- cials about his candidacy. The governing body, known as AIBA, said Kremlev won more than 57% of the vote in a five-candidate contest involving 155 national federations. The International Olympic Committee last year stripped Al Naama emerges victorious as Saadi lands a double the AIBA of its responsibility to organize boxing at the Summer THE PENINSULA – DOHA Al Naama winning 18TH RACE MEETING - THE LATE SHEIKH Games amid concerns over the the Late Sheikh JASSIM BIN MOHAMMED AL THANI TROPHY - integrity of Olympic bouts, gov- Al Shaqab Racing's homebred Al Jassim Bin QATAR NATIONAL DAY TROPHY ernance and finance. Naama yesterday stormed to win the Mohammed Al Thani It is far from clear that Late Sheikh Jassim Bin Mohammed Cup. THE LATE SHEIKH JASSIM BIN MOHAMMED AL THANI Kremlev’s victory will help Al Thani Trophy & Cup (Gr2) with TROPHY (Gr2 PA) solve AIBA’s main challenge - French jockey Soufiane Saadi at Al Al Naama (FR), Alban Elie Marie De Mieulle, Soufiane Saadi regaining that recognition Rayyan Racetrack. NATIONAL DAY CUP LOCAL PUREBRED ARABIAN before the Paris Olympics in The victory with the Alban de 2024. Boxing will take place at CONDITIONS Mieulle-trained 6-year-old mare in the Olympics next Al Mustafiz (QA), Zuhair Mohsen Zuhair Maki, Soufiane Saadi the 2,000m race for 3YO+ P/As was summer, but the IOC has cut PUREBRED ARABIAN MAIDEN PLATE (4 Year Olds) the second for Saadi, who also AIBA out of organizing the clinched the National Day Cup with Al Efreeta (FR), Alban Elie Marie De Mieulle, Ronan Thomas men’s and women’s tourna- Injaaz Stud's Al Mustafiz (QA) (AF PUREBRED ARABIAN HANDICAP ments and qualifying events AlBahar). Saadi rode the Zuhair Djalnor (FR) , Mohammed Gassim Ghazali, Saleh Salem Al Marri next year. IOC President Mohsen-trained 7-year-old horse to THOROUGHBRED HANDICAP (Class 3) Thomas Bach confirmed this a neck's win in the 7f Conditions for More Than A Dream (IRE), Hamad Ahmed Al Malki Al Jehani, week that AIBA had been made Local Purebred Arabians. Faleh Bughanaim “well aware” of the Olympic Earlier, Abdulhadi Mana Al Hajri's THOROUGHBRED HANDICAP (Class 3) body’s concerns about some Dark Pursuit (GB) (Pastoral Pursuits) Handicap (75-95) on turf when Lukasek in the saddle. The German Life Of Riley (GB), Mohammed Hussain Afroz, Killian Leonard candidates, who he did not won a Class 2 TB Conditions. JP Guil- Alberto Sanna rode the Majed jockey rode the Georges Mikhalides- THOROUGHBRED PLATE (3 Year Olds) (Class 3) identify but was understood to lambert rode the Stefano Ibido-trained Seifeddine-trained 7-year-old gelding trained 3-year-old colt to a ¾-length Think Big (IRE), Georges Mikhalides, Tomas Lukasek include Kremlev. 4-year-old gelding to a neck win in to a ¾-length win in the mile run. win in the 7f run for 3-year-olds. THOROUGHBRED HANDICAP (Class 3) Rakhimov resigned months the 6f run. Rashid bin Mubarak Al Al Wasmiyah Farm's Think Big Minister of Culture and Sports, Al Mohalhal (IRE), Majed Mahadi Seifeddine, Alberto Sanna after being elected two years Naimi's Al Mohalhal (IRE) (Accla- (IRE) (Night Of Thunder) won a Thor- H E Salah bin Ghanem Al Ali, crowned THOROUGHBRED CONDITIONS (Class 2) ago by AIBA members who mation) clinched the victory in the TB oughbred Plate on turf with Tomas the winners yesterday. Dark Pursuit (GB), Stefano Ibido, JP Guillambert defied IOC warnings. Haidan captures Big Tour honours with Miss Chilli QBF Men's League: Al Sadd, Qatar SC win Haidan receiving the winner's trophy from Omar Al Mannai, Vice Chairman of the Organising Committee of Longines Hathab Qatar Equestrian Tour.

LONGINES HATHAB QATAR EQUESTRIAN TOUR - ROUND 6 COMP. (3) OPEN CLASS, 115/120CM, PRIZE MONEY QR25, 000 Rk, Horse, Rider Points Time Prize 1: LAMM ADDICTION Z/Rashid Towaim Al Marri 65 44.98 QR6,250 Prominent Qatari rider Mohammed Saeed Haidan guids his 12-year- 2: GUILDER'S EMPIRE OF THE SUN/Mohammed Sultan Al Suwaidi 65 45.14 QR5,000 old mare Miss Chili over an obstacle on way to winning the Big Tour 3: GOEDELE VDV Z/Saoud Mohammed Al Kuwari 65 48.75 QR3,750 class in Round 6 of the Longines Hathab Qatar Equestrian Tour Al Sadd's Omar Saad bounces the ball during at the Qatar Equestrian Federation's Indoor Arena yesterday. The COMP. (4) BIG TOUR, 130/140CM, PRIZE MONEY QR45,000 the Qatar Basketball Federation’s League match victory made Haidan richer by QR11,250. In the Open Class event Rk, Horse, Rider Ph.1 Jump Off Prize against Al Shamal at Al Gharafa Sports Club Hall which was conducted earlier, Rashid Towaim Al Marri clinched the 1: MISS CHILI / Mohammed Saeed Haidan 69.52 31.89 QR11,250 yesterday. Al Sadd won the match with a 79-75 victory after guiding Lamm Addiction Z in a flawless routine. The 2: QUEL HOMME / Nasser Al Ghazali 68.87 32.44 QR9,000 scoreline. In the second match of the day, Qatar series is supported by The Social and Sport Contribution Fund. 3: ASLAN 69 / Salmeen Sultan Al Suwaidi 71.71 33.33 QR6,750 SC defeated Al Khor 78-72 at the same venue. Leipzig ease past Manchester derby ends in a goalless draw AFP – MANCHESTER Manchester City’s Werder to join Joao Cancelo Manchester United eased the in action with Bayern on top mounting pressure on manager Ole Manchester Gunnar Solskjaer, but an uninspired United’s Aaron REUTERS – LEIPZIG 0-0 draw with Manchester City Wan-Bissaka yesterday did little for either side's during yesterday's RB Leipzig joined Bayern Munich at the top of the chances of mounting a Premier Derby. Bundesliga after cruising to a 2-0 victory over League title challenge. Werder Bremen yesterday to stay second only on United remain a point better off goal difference. than their local rivals in the table but Buoyed up by their 3-2 midweek win over sit seventh, five points off Tottenham Manchester United that earned them a place in and Liverpool at the top of the table, the Champions League last 16, the hosts domi- while City slip to ninth. nated Werder from the start. Solskjaer's men may well be the “Given that we had a big week with three happier side to take a point after games (having also played 3-3 at Bayern Munich crashing out of the Champions last week) it was still pretty dominant,” Leipzig League at the group stages with a coach Julian Nagelsmann said. “We lost some of defeat to RB Leipzig on Tuesday. our pace in the second half but we still had But the Red Devils have won just chances. one of their opening six home league “Now we are well prepared for our (league) games this season and look set for game against Hoffenheim on Wednesday.” Leipzig, another campaign where a top-four who have now won all six of their home games finish rather than a title tilt will be this season, earned a penalty in the 26th minute the target. and Marcel Sabitzer converted it. City recorded a sixth straight throughout as the first Manchester Lindelof and Harry Maguire also after brilliant work by Jesus and Dani Olmo completed a quick Leipzig passing clean sheet as Pep Guardiola has set derby without a crowd never headed off target from set-pieces, Kevin De Bruyne. The visitors were move with a clever dribble on the edge of the box about improving their defensive sparked into life. but it was City who created the handed a reprieve early in the and his low shot in the 41st gave them a two-goal record. United only seriously threatened better chances on the few occasions second-half when Kyle Walker was cushion. However, that has come at the from corners as Scott McTominay, they moved the ball at pace. penalised for clipping Marcus Leipzig are on 24 points, the same as Bayern cost of the thrilling Football that City who scored the last goal at Old Gabriel Jesus fired over from Rashford inside the area. who had to come from a goal down to draw 1-1 at showed in their two title-winning Trafford in front of fans when the Riyad Mahrez's ball over the top, but A VAR review showed Rashford Union Berlin. campaigns under the Catalan in sides last met in March, was inches it was Mahrez who was guilty of was offside as he received the ball Bayer Leverkusen, on 22, can take over the 2017/18 and 2018/19. away from connecting with Victor passing up the best opening when and United were denied a 32nd lead with a win over Hoffenheim today. Both sides were cautious Lindelof's near post flick-on. he fired too close to David de Gea penalty in the last two seasons.