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TUESday, NOVEMBER 3, 2020

QATAR CLASSIC SQUASH Mohamed ElShorbagy pips Parker to stay on course, Rosner ousted

Agencies

Top-seeded Mohamed ElShorbagy weaved his way past Englishman George Park- er in a tricky affair to make the third round and stay in quest for a fourth Clas- sic crown at the Khalifa Inter- national Tennis and Squash Complex on Sunday. Parker needed 61 minutes to win 3-1: 11-8, 11-6, 9-11, 11-8. It was the Englishman, who already had experience of the glass court this week fol- lowing his opening win, who came out strongly, and held a lead in the middle stage of the Spain’s Borja Golan and Egypt’s Omar Mosaad during their second round match at the Khalifa Internation- first game. However, three late al Squash & Tennis Complex on Monday. errors gifted the game to the former World No.1. Results ElShorbagy turned it up a notch in the second game, as Round 2 he held a five-point lead early (1) Mohamed ElShorbagy (EGY) bt George on. Although Parker tried to Parker (ENG) 3-1 (11-8, 11-6, 9-11, 11-8) fight back, the three-time Qa- Youssef Ibrahim (EGY) bt Cesar Salazar (MEX) retired 3-1 (4-11, 11-3, 12-10) tar champion doubled his ad- Borja Golan (ESP) bt Omar Mosaad (EGY) 3-1 vantage in the match. It looked Top seed Mohamed ElShorbagy gestures after his Qatar Classic second round win over England’s George (11-7, 6-11, 11-61, 13-11) like the match was over as ‘the Parker at the Khalifa International Squash & Tennis Complex on Monday. Fares Dessouky (EGY) bt 7-Simon Rosner Beast’ led 9-6 in the third and (GER) 3-0 (11-3, 11-9, 11-8) was two points away from wan ElShorbagy dispatching in Doha, booking his place in and third games, but no matter 6-Marwan ElShorbagy (EGY) bt Gregory sealing the win, but the Eng- former World No.1 Gregory the last 16 of the Qatar Clas- what, the World No.12 had the Gaultier (FRA) 3-0 (11-7, 11-4, 11-6) lishman fought back, winning Gaultier in straight games. sic, where he will face German answers, and was able to close Raphael Kandra (GER) bt Sourav Ghosal (IND) five straight points to send the The pair had met on the No.2 Raphael Kandra. out the match in straight games, 3-1 (10-12, 11-9, 11-4, 11-7) match into a fourth game. PSA World Tour eight times “When I saw the draw, I setting up a clash with Spain’s Gregoire Marche (FRA) bt Mohamed ElSherbini (EGY) 3-0 (11-8, 11-7, 11-5) The fourth sat nicely at prior to this clash, but their knew that playing him would Borja Golan in the last 16. Egyptian Youssef Ibrahim reached the last 16 after Mexico’s Cesar 4-Paull Coll (NZL) bt Baptiste Masotti (FRA) bt 6-6, but it was ElShorbagy last meeting came three years be really tough. Mentally, it “Obviously, it was not an Salazar was forced to withdraw due to injury. 3-0 (11-7, 11-5, 11-8). that was able to get his nose ago at the Cathay PacificS un is the toughest first match easy match. I know it was 3-0 in front, and he kept it there, Hung Kai Financial Hong you can get because of what but it was very close. I had to into it after being 7-4 down, Meanwhile, Spain’s former Wednesday Order of play eventually securing the match Kong Open, where ‘the Jackal’ he has achieved,” ElShorbagy dig really deep to get every sin- but he hit three balls into the World No.5 Borja Golan bat- 11am: Eain Yow Ng (MAS) vs Declan James (ENG) 11.45: Tom Richards (ENG) vs Lucas Serme (FRA) after an hour’s play on the took the win. explained. gle point and to play at a fast tin in the latter stages, allow- tled past Egypt’s World No.16 1.30pm: Mohd Abouelghar (EGY) vs 8-Joel Makin glass court. The World No. 2 After some lengthy early pace, which wasn’t easy at all. ing Coll to take the first. Omar Mosaad winning 11-7, 2.15: Shahjahan Khan (USA) vs M Rodriguez (COL) will not play Youssef Ibrahim exchanges, ElShorbagy was Rosner ousted I am happy to be through,” he The New Zealander, who 6-11, 11-6, 13-11. 4pm: James Willstrop (ENG) vs Greg Lobban in the third round, with the able to take control of the Egypt’s Fares Dessouky explained after the victory. reached the final of thePS A The World No. 26 Golan 4.45: Richie Fallows (ENG) vs 2-Ali Farag (EGY) 6.30: 5-Diego Elias (PER) vs Abdulla Al Tamimi (QAT) pair meeting for the first time first game. With some deci- caused the first major surprise Men’s World Championship at held off a fightback to reach 7.15: 3-Tarek Momen (EGY) vs Yousself Soliman (EGY) on the PSA World Tour. sions going against the former as he overcame World No.8 Si- Coll stays cool this very venue twelve months the last 16 of a Platinum event “He played really well. World No.1, the Egyptian took mon Rösner in straight games New Zealand’s World No.5 ago, established further con- for the first time since the That’s the way he plays and advantage of Gaultier’s frayed to knock the German out of Paul Coll got the better of trol in the second game, racing 2018 Qatar Classic. It was turning into an en- the way he likes playing and mental state to secure an early the PSA Platinum level Qatar Frenchman Baptiste Masotti into a 9-2 lead. He closed out It was a scrappy encounter joyable match between the two it was up to me to respond lead in the clash. Classic. for the second time in just six the second, before also doing with plenty of video referee de- players with both exchang- and up to me to find a way to Gaultier came out fighting The pair had only faced weeks. so in the third, as Masotti kept cisions, but Golan was able to ing quickfire rallies, however, win. Luckily I did that today,” at the start of the second game, each other twice on the PSA The pair met in the first making unforced errors. make the difference as he held World No.21 Salazar slipped ElShorbagy admitted. winning four of the first five World Tour before, but they round of the Manchester Coll moves through to the on in the fourth after seeing his whilst lunging into the front “The fourth was very tight points, but ElShorbagy soon had an average match time of Open, the firstPS A World third round of the Platinum first matchball saved to con- left corner at 10-10 in the third and it could have easily gone turned the game its head, win- over 75 minutes. This clash, Tour event held after the tour’s event where he will face another vert 13-11 on the tie-break and and was unable to recover to a fifth game. He is such a ning ten straight points to dou- though, was only just over half six-month suspension due to member of the French quartet move into the last 16 in Doha. handing the match to Ibrahim. great player and I have trained ble his advantage in the match. of that time, as Dessouky dom- the COVID-19 pandemic, with that featured at the WSF Men’s Golan will face the winner of 21-year-old Ibrahim has with him a few times down in ElShorbagy’s mental state inated throughout. the Kiwi taking the victory. World Team Squash Champi- Simon Rösner v Fares Dessouky enjoyed a strong season since Bristol. I know what he can do, was totally different to that The Egyptian took the first He did the same in this onships in Washington in 2019, for a place in the quarter finals. the PSA Tour restarted in Sep- I know how dangerous he is. of his last outing on the PSA game in just eight minutes, as he one in under 40 minutes, and World No.17 Gregoire Marche. “It was really tough,” said tember and will now feature He has so much potential, and World Tour, as he lost his way did not allow the ‘German Tree- was in control throughout the “That clash (in Manches- the Spaniard afterwards. in the last 16 of PSA Platinum I don’t think he knows how against Tarek Momen in the Chopper’ to find his rhythm at clash. There was some won- ter) was both our first matches Egypt’s World No.41 event for the second time in much potential he actually semi-finals of the CIBE gyp- all, giving up just three points in derful, free-flowing squash in back after a long break and I Youssef Ibrahim made the last a row after recovering from a has,” he added. tian Open last month. That the opening salvo. parts across the contest, espe- was a bit passive in that match, 16 after Mexico’s Cesar Salazar game down to draw level be- Also moving through to helped his to secure the vic- Rösner tried to fight back cially in the first game. Masotti I wasn’t aggressive enough on was forced to withdraw from fore Salazar’s injury awarded the last 16 was Egypt’s Mar- tory in straight games here over the course of the second was able to fight his way back court,” Coll said. their match due to injury. him a 3-1 victory. Unbeaten Lille held by stubborn 10-man Lyon, PSG move to top AFP after a fifth draw in nine out- signing for the club in Sep- drought following his 11 mil- Paris ings this term. tember as Niko Kovac’s side lion-euro ($13 million) move Bamba notched his fourth thrashed Bordeaux 4-0. from Germany. Lille lost ground on goal of the campaign with a Monaco struck three times The 28-year-old tapped in a leaders Paris Saint-Germain terrific first-time effort after in as many minutes through second on 57 minutes as Mar- after a 1-1 draw at home to 10- an inviting lay-off from Turkey , Gelson tins slid the ball across goal for man Lyon on Sunday but kept international Burak Yilmaz. Martins and Volland in the his unmarked team-mate. their unbeaten record this sea- The goal came moments first half to take control at the Nice moved up to fourth as son intact. after Mike Maignan stood tall Stade Louis II. Patrick Vieira’s team extended Jonathan Bamba curled at the other end to deny Karl Volland then grabbed an- their unbeaten domestic run in a fine 20-yard strike to give Toko Ekambi after the Cam- other in the second half as Mo- to five games with a 3-0 vic- Lille the lead but Zeki Celik’s eroon striker was played clean naco won for just the second tory at Angers. own goal just before half-time through. time in six matches to climb put Nice ahead brought Lyon level. Lyon goalkeeper Anthony up to eighth place. on 11 minutes and Pierre Lees- The visitors played most of Lopes pawed away a long- France forward Ben Yed- Melou added a second from the second half a man down af- range shot from Yilmaz and der crashed home a spot-kick the spot. ter Brazilian defender Marcelo Bamba then fizzed just over, on 27 minutes after his header came was shown a second yellow but OL equalised when Hous- was handled by Pablo, with a off the bench to net a third as card for a foul on Bamba but sem Aouar’s drive smacked penalty awarded despite the Nice stayed four points behind Lille could not take advantage. Celik in the chest and flew past ball looping over Benoit Costil PSG. “The first yellow was very Maignan. and into the net following the Metz continued their fine harsh,” said Lyon coach Rudi The dismissal of Marcelo deflection. recent form with a 1-0 win at Garcia. “Quite frankly, it killed five minutes into the second Martins grabbed his first Nimes while Montpellier de- the match. I would like to have half prompted Garcia to with- goal since serving a six-month feated Saint-Etienne by the seen 95 minutes against Lille draw Aouar for centre-back ban for pushing a referee last same scoreline courtesy of a with 11 against 11. I’m not go- , the Algerian season when he lunged at the goal from Englishman Stephy ing to say what I think... I’m Africa Cup of Nations winner far post to poke in a Ruben Mavididi. very annoyed because it be- who joined Lyon last month Lille’s French head coach gesture during the French L1 football match between Lille Aguilar cross. Reims beat Strasbourg 2-1 came difficult afterwards.” on a free transfer. LOSC and at the Pierre-Mauroy Stadium in Villeneuve d’Ascq, France, on Sunday. (AFP) And former Bayer Lev- while Dijon remain the only Lille stayed second but Lille were unable to erkusen forward Volland team without a victory follow- fell two points back of PSG transform their sustained and were held to a second Volland up and running tional Kevin Volland scored promptly headed in from a ing a goalless draw at home while Lyon moved up to sixth pressure into a winning goal consecutive draw. Earlier, Germany interna- his first goals for Monaco since Ben Yedder delivery to end his to Lorient. Sports Tuesday, November 3, 2020 13 Now in company of Qatari sports legends, Almoez Ali aims higher Asian Cup 2019 star joins Attiyah, Barshim, Tamimi and Al Meghessib as Red Bull athletes

lmoez Ali is a favour- Can we say that qualifying We’d have high level, intense, mates. It was tough, but the I was only 22 years old Has your European expe- ite name and one of the for the FIFA U-20 World tough morning and evening level of the training and the when I became the best scor- rience helped improving closest to the hearts of Cup is Almoez’s first drills day-in day-out, with coach’s guidance were very er in Asia. I am now 24, and your skills? the football fans in Qa- I am extremely proud to be achievement? players that were all of a pro- useful. The team also helped during these two years I’ve My experience in Europe tar. Immortalised in his in the same team alongside Qualifying for the FIFA fessional level, and played me enhance my skills. learned that psychological was indeed very beneficial. At takingA the podium as the top my brothers, namely my U-20 World Cup in New Zea- with major clubs, while I pressure is no myth though it a young age, I got to travel to scorer at the Asian Cup 2019; superhero and rally legend land was the actual kick-off of played with a minor team. Can you describe what can be relieved with concen- Belgium, Spain, and Austria, an unprecedented achieve- Nasser Al Attiyah, the high my career. We had in fact won There was a great gap in terms you feel joining the Red tration and continuous work. and this had a great impact ment for the national team, the AFC U-19 championship, of training capacities, and I Bull team that brings to- I will be focused on winning, on me and taught me self- Almoez’s exceptional talent in jump icon and world and reaching the World Cup had to work twice as hard to gether Qatar’s legends in and seizing all the opportuni- reliance. I was learning some- the limelight also raises champion Mutaz Essa was a dream come true. The come close to my Aspire team- the world of sport? ties for that end. The title it- thing new every day, such as the expectations for Barshim, the exceptional last time the national team It is wonderful to join self has caused discipline, commitment to the a bigger and bril- squash star Abdullah Al had qualified for the World the Red Bull athletes’ family me a lot of team, teamwork, and modern liant future. Tamimi, as well as Cup had been before 28 years, alongside the sports legends psycho- football that is played differ- Following the e-Sports FIFA champion and I had the honor of being here in Qatar. I am so glad to logical ently than in Asia in terms of start of his recent Ahmad Al Meghessib. the team’s top scorer in the My dream is to show an be part of the Red Bull fam- pres- offense, ball possession, at- partnership U-20 World Cup, when I was excellent performance with ily, and happier still to know sure at tacks through half-chances, with Red only 19 years old. that a giant world-class com- first todealing with the rival team’s Bull, Almoez What about your expe- the Qatar team at the FIFA pany, known for its support be hon- strengths and weaknesses, and discloses rience with the Aspire World Cup 2022. To achieve for sports and athletes all est, but it many other European tricks. key things Academy? that, my plan is to keep over the world, has got my was eased with in his life The Aspire Acad- learning more and more back. I am extremely proud time, and I can now play with You will be one of the big- that are How did you emy phase was very every day, in order to to be in the same team along- much more tran- gest names in the Qatar of interest reach the important and present a special and side my brothers, namely my quility nd self 2022 Word Cup. How do for every apex of glo- tough for me as a superhero and rally legend control. you see that? profes- ry at such a player at such a honorable performance Nasser Al Attiyah, the high Competing in the World sional soc- young age? young age. level for my team and my jump icon and world cham- Cup has been my dream ever cer player. As a country at the World Cup. pion Mutaz Essa Barshim, since I was a child. It is the From his young football the exceptional squash most exciting event that eve- early days player, I had star Abdullah Al Tamimi, ry football player wishes and to how his big dreams to as well as e-Sports FIFA dreams to take part in. The career de- become a star champion Ahmad Al best thing about this 2022 veloped, like the Qatari players Meghessib. Bar- World Cup is that we will en- the lessons I used to watch, such shim and Tamimi joy home advantage and we learnt from vari- as Khalfan Ibrahim, used to be my class- will be playing among our ous experiences, the Hassan El Haydos mates at the Aspire own football fans in Qatar. future prospects, and the top-scorer Academy, and I’ve My dream is to show an ex- the focus on Qa- Sebastian. My ambi- seen with my own cellent performance with tar’s participation in tion was to reach that eyes how Red Bull the Qatar national team. the 2022 World Cup level of accomplish- took them under its To achieve that, my plan and other continental ments. With the help of wings. is to keep learning more tournaments, as well God, I have been able to and more every day, in as discussing the right achieve such scores and Has the Asia top order to present a spe- balance that a top player even more. This is a fruit scorer title put cial and honorable per- ought to strike. of the collective efforts of you under addi- formance level for my Excerpts from an in- the team I play with, who tional pres- team and my country at terview: helped me reach the top. sure? the World Cup. (TNN)

Aspire Academy Global ‘Virtual’ Summit on Anything possible for Liverpool despite Van Dijk Football Performance & Science on Nov 5 setback: Alexander-Arnold he Aspire Academy will bring together The previous five years AFP we want to achieve and what we football experts from have seen some of the Bergamo can achieve. all over the world for world’s leading youth “Now knowing we can aT virtual “Aspire Academy Trent Alexander-Arnold is achieve these things, we know football coaches and Global Summit on Football confident Liverpoolcan still we can go far in the Champions Performance and Science” on most influential interna- aspire to win the Champions League, we can go far in the title November 5. tional figures in world League and race. Knowing that gives us the The previous five years have football representing even without the talismanic belief that anything can happen. seen some of the world’s lead- 50 elite clubs and fed- presence of Virgil van Dijk. “No matter the setbacks or ing youth football coaches and erations come together The Dutch defender is ex- the players we lose to injury we most influential international pected to miss the rest of the can still achieve these things.” figures in world football repre- at iconic locations season after suffering cruciate Diogo Jota’s fast start to senting 50 elite clubs and feder- starting in Paris, Berlin, ligament damage in a conten- life at Anfield after a £40 mil- ations come together at iconic Amsterdam, London and tious Merseyside derby against lion ($52 million) move from locations starting in Paris, Ber- last year in Doha for the Everton last month. Wolves in September has lin, Amsterdam, London and But since then Liverpool played a major part in Liver- last year in Doha for the Aspire Aspire Academy Global have picked up maximum pool’s recovery from a humiliat- Academy Global Summit. Summit. points from four games to move ing 7-2 thrashing at Aston Villa The 2020 edition will be the back top of the Premier League a month ago. first to be conducted remotely drid (Spain), AFC Ajax (Neth- and their Champions League The Portuguese has scored due to the current coronavirus erlands), Benfica SC, Porto FC group. Jurgen Klopp’s men the winner against Sheffield pandemic environment. (Portugal), Club Atletico Boca ended a 30-year wait to win a United and West Ham in the Summit organisers, As- Juniors, Club Atletico River league title earlier this year, a last two league games and pire Academy have opted for Plate (Argentina), Esperance season after winning the Cham- opened the scoring in a 2-0 win a Fellows for this virtual Sum- Sportive de Tunis, (Tunisia) pions League. over Midtjylland last time out in mit and will feature four of and K.A.S Eupen (Belgium), And Alexander-Arnold be- the Champions League. “He’s in selected experts from across Major League Soccer (USA) lieves that experience is key to the best age, 23, already expe- the globe and from different training methodology of youth as well as the Federations of overcoming the obstacles they rienced, already played a lot in sports who will give talks of 15 football players to enhance Qatar, England, France, Italy, face this season. the Premier League, he’s a re- minutes each. their psycho-physical perfor- South Korea, Argentina and “All that matters is the circle ally good boy and a really good The topic matter will be mance. Launched by Aspire Mexico will be joining online. we are in, the team we are in,” signing,” said Klopp. about and around real experi- Academy in 2014 with the goal Following the four talks, said Alexander-Arnold, ahead “We never hold players ences from diverse spheres of to embrace, gather and lead the attendees will be split into of Tuesday’s Champions League back in the beginning it’s just life, all meant to use the sto- the best practitioners in order groups of 15 people and get in- game away at Atalanta. that players usually need time ries from different areas and to consolidate and develop the volved in parallel workshops “On the outside people have to adapt, but I knew before that expertise to introduce new knowledge pool in the world with open debates and discus- opinions and say things, but as it will not take too long for him concepts that for the Aspire of football performance. The sions built and based on con- long as we are focused on what because of the way Wolves play. Fellows members could bring sonalities from the world of tional initiative and the Aspire activities lean on the corner- tent shared from the stories by about means and ways to en- sports. Former Footballer Gi- in the World Fellows program stone of the Aspire Academy Vialli, Vio, Trouabal and Debs. hance their own experiences. anluca Vialli, Paralympian Bebe grew exponentially into a Global Summit and the Fel- The Summit will hear from a Speaking ahead of the 6th Vio, Athletic Sprinter Jean- world-leading community of lows Gatherings. presentation on research survey edition, Professor Valter Di Sal- Charles Trouabal and Sébast- experts with the goal to become Amongst the attendees recently designed by the Aspire vo, Aspire Academy’s Executive ien Debs headline the 2020 the central figure pushing the to this year’s virtual Summit Fellows scientific committee Director of the event said, “In Aspire Academy Global Sum- boundaries of the know-how will be coaches and football that will be part of the second an extraordinary year during mit and their stories will be the about football performance”. performance and science ex- common research on “Organi- which our normal lives have core discussion for the ensuing Aspire in the World Fel- perts from the 50 elite Clubs zational structures and working been altered by the coronavirus workshops. Aspire in the World lows is the world’s leading and Federations. The attend- practice of elite youth football pandemic, we have all had to Fellows program started in 2014 Community in the develop- ees will join representatives academies”. This community al- adjust to the new environment even during this pandemic pe- ment of the performance of such us Liverpool FC, Man- ready published a study on “Tal- and Aspire in the World Fel- riod, we have continued sharing youth football players. It was chester United FC, Tottenham ent Identification”. lows are out to do the same. knowledge on our web platform born out of an interest to cre- Hotspur FC (England), Paris The event will conclude “This year the on-line Sum- https://fellows.aspire.qa which ate a platform to gather and Saint-Germain FC, AS Mo- with a sneak peek presenta- mit edition will seek to let the boasts well over 280 Fellows synergize the know-how of naco (France), Juventus FC, tion of the next two editions Fellows derive inspiration and presentations. worldwide expertise to of- AS Roma, Inter Milan FC, AC of the Aspire Academy Global motivation from the real-life “Over the years, Aspire fer recommendations for the Milan (Italy), FC Barcelona, Summit towards the Qatar stories shared by different per- Academy leading an interna- management and modern Real Madrid FC, Atletico Ma- 2022 World Cup. Liverpool’s English defender Trent Alexander-Arnold (right). (AFP) 14 Tuesday, November 3, 2020 Sports Ibrahimovic flirts with Sheikh Joaan attends IOC meeting international return amid age-defying form AFP media channels in a Sweden from international football Kessie’s 18th-minute opener Stockholm kit with the message “Long after Euro 2016, has been in before scoring the winning time no see”. superb form since the start of goal from an acrobatic bicy- Zlatan Ibrahimovic on However when asked by the new Serie A season. cle kick with seven minutes Monday sent a signal that Swedish sports daily Sport- His haul of seven goals in remaining. he might be considering bladet, Sweden’s team man- just four matches has made Sweden face Denmark in an international comeback ager Stefan Pettersson said him the league’s top scorer a friendly match on Novem- as he continues to produce he had no recent contact with despite missing two of Milan’s ber 11 before taking on Croa- show-stopping displays Ibrahimovic. six Serie A matches after test- tia and France in the Nations for AC Milan that defy his Sportbladet also reports ing positive for coronavirus. League over the course of the advancing years. the Swedish Football Federa- On Sunday he starred as following week. Ibrahimovic, who turned tion has not contacted AC Mi- unbeaten Milan won 2-1 at They are bottom of Group HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of Qatar Olympic Committee, took part in the third 39 last month, posted a pic- lan about the player. Udinese to maintain top spot 4 in League A after losing all meeting of the Commission for Public Affairs and Social Development through Sport of the International ture of himself on his social Ibrahimovic, who retired in Serie A, setting up Franck four of their matches so far. Olympic Committee (IOC) which was held via videoconferencing on Sunday. CONCACAF Champions League to be staged at single location AFP CONCACAF said three controlled environment Los Angeles quarter-finals which already for all the players, coaches, played first leg games in team staff and officials who The pandemic-interrupted March would be completed will participate.” 2020 CONCACAF Champions with their second legs at the These would included a League will be completed at a US venue. Away teams from “high-frequency” Covid-19 single location in the United the first legs would be re- testing regime before and States next month, CON- garded as home teams in the during the competition, CON- CACAF said on Monday. return fixture. CACAF said. The tournament for The remaining quarter- clubs from the North Amer- final,between Los Angeles FC Draw: ica, Central America and the and Mexico’s Cruz Azul, would Quarterfinals(Ties to be played Caribbean (CONCACAF) will be held as a single-game elimi- December 15/16, first leg be played from December nation tie, as the first leg had scores in brackets where ap- 15-22 at a yet-to-be deter- not been played. plicable): mined US venue. Two semi-finals and the fi- CD Olimpia (HON)(2) vs Mon- The move from CON- nal will also be one-off single treal Impact (CAN) (1) CACAF mirrors the strategy leg games, CONCACAF said. Atlanta United (USA) (0) vs Club used by European football offi- CONCACAF said exten- America (MEX) (3) cials earlier this year regarding sive Covid-19 safety proto- Tigres UANL (MEX) (1) vs New the UEFA Champions League, cols would be in force for York City FC (USA) (0) AC Milan’s Swedish forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic (centre) celebrates with team mates after scoring during the Italian Serie A match between when the climax of the tourna- the games, in order to pro- Los Angeles FC (USA) vs Cruz against Udinese at the Friuli Stadium, alias “Dacia Arena” in Udine on Sunday. (AFP) ment took place in Portugal. vide a “safe and highly Azul (MEX). Reduced prize money ‘best’ Coronavirus has devastated rugby’s tennis can expect: Lopez finances, says World Rugby’s Gosper

AFP “We have to be aware of the It’s a problem that is affect- AFP the wealthiest in the northern Paris situation that the world is liv- ing every single person in the London hemisphere. ing and how everyone is facing world. People are dying,” added However, their CEO Bill Spanish veteran Feliciano these challenging times around the 39-year-old, who is also the The financial fallout for rugby Sweeney predicted last week Lopez said on Monday that the the world. tournament director of the Ma- from the coronavirus pandem- they are looking at a potential vastly reduced prize money on “For now I don’t see any drid Open. ic has been “devastating” with short-term impact of around offer for tennis players is the hope on prize money. I think it “I think it’s fair to say that World Rugby effectively oper- £145 million ($187 million) in “best we can have” after set- will stay the same for a while.” we are very fortunate and we ating like a “central bank”, the lost revenues. ting up a Paris Masters second- Paris Masters tournament are very lucky. governing body’s CEO Brett The RFU is seeking help round tie against Rafael Nadal. director Guy Forget has said “First of all, we are able to Gosper said on Monday. from the British government. The final ATP Masters that the event had been helped play, and of course we have European unions have Their Irish counterparts, the event of the season started at financially by the other Masters a significant reduction in the been particularly badly affect- IRFU, on Monday received Bercy Arena on Monday behind series events and the ATP. prize money. But I think it will ed due to the ban on specta- 18 million euros from the closed doors and just days after Organisers were expecting stay the same. tors attending matches since state, which will help deal France began a second corona- to welcome 1,000 fans each “It has to stay the same, the season resumed in mid- Toulouse’s French centre Sofiane Guitoune (left) is challenged by Stade with a record deficit of 35.7 virus lockdown. day to Bercy Arena, but instead because the tournaments, they August after it was originally Français’ French centre Jonathan Danty (R) during the French Top 14 million euros” The winner of this year’s had to refund the tickets after cannot do better. This is what it halted by the coronavirus out- rugby union match between Stade Français and Stade Toulousain at - ‘A bumper World Cup’ tournament will pocket just French President Emmanuel is right now.” break in March. the Jean-Bouin Stadium in Paris on Sunday. (AFP) -Gosper, 61, said hopefully the over 20 percent of the cheque Macron announced the new Lopez will face Nadal on Fans did however at- sport can survive, providing taken home by 2019 champion lockdown measures last week. Wednesday in his fellow Span- tend the recent Bledisloe Cup biggest stadiums. devastating it will be. things return to some form of Novak Djokovic. But Lopez says that players iard’s first match since winning games hosted by New Zealand “It has been devastat- “In the near future we normality next year. “I want to be clear. I think need to count themselves lucky a record-extending 13th French and will also be permitted ing from a revenue point of are going to be getting some “We’re operating a little this is... The best we can have to be able to play at all, after Open title last month. when Australia host the Rugby view,” the Australian said in a good broadcast revenues bit as a central bank, trying right now,” Lopez said after his the ATP and WTA Tours were The world number 64 has Championship. conference call. but the rest of the picture is to advance monies to these 7-6 (13/11), 6-1 first-round win suspended between March and beaten Nadal on four occasions, Gosper said it was logical “The more reliant you are pretty weak.” unions to see them through over former runner-up Filip August earlier this year. including in each of their last the hardest-hit unions were on game hospitality and tick- England’s Rugby Football from a cash-flow point of Krajinovic. “This is not only tennis. two meetings. the largest ones with the eting particularly, the more Union (RFU) is traditionally view,” he said. Nation prepares to stop for a Melbourne Cup behind closed doors

AFP sions, radios and live streams. For Tiger Moth’s jockey told reporters. Melbourne Melbourne emerged from Kerrin McEvoy, who last “I liked the way he looked months of coronavirus lock- month claimed the Aus$15 mil- the other morning and you can Australia’s “race that down last week, sparking hopes lion Everest for the third time make a case for a lot of them.” stops a nation” will Tuesday that some spectators would be in Sydney, the draw couldn’t He also pinpointed as be staged in front of empty allowed, only for organisers to have been worse as he targets dangers the Caulfield Cup grandstands, devoid of the decide it was too soon. a fourth victory. The four-year- winner Verry Elleegant and roars from tens of thousands “While we are very dis- old stallion will start from gate fourth-placed Prince Of Ar- of punters when the Mel- appointed not to be able to 23, the second widest. ran, last year’s Melbourne bourne Cup is run behind welcome our members and Another fancied horse Cup runner-up. closed doors for the first time racegoers to Cup Week, we and this year’s Cox Plate win- Prince of Arran, who was in its long history. understand the (Victoria) ner, Sir Dragonet, fared better third in the 2018 Melbourne Held on the first Tuesday government’s commitment to with gate 14 while Caulfield Cup behind Cross Counter, of November since 1876, the keeping our community safe,” Cup runner-up Anthony Van will be ridden this year by gift- punishing 3200 metre (two- said Victoria Racing chairman Dyck, with Winx jockey Hugh ed female jockey Jamie Kah. mile) handicap is so impor- Amanda Elliott. Bowman in the saddle, will Last year’s winner, the tant that race day is a public With cricket’s Boxing Day spring from gate 3. locally-bred Vow and Declare, holiday in the state that hosts Test match, the Australian Tiger Moth, trained by is back for another crack but is it, Victoria, with the winning Open tennis and Australian Aidan O’Brien and a narrow carrying more weight and not horse becoming a household Formula One Grand Prix all second in this year’s Irish considered a major contender. name in Australia. scheduled to take place in the Derby, will be making only his Chris Waller, trainer of Hordes of colourfully- next few months, the Mel- A handout photo taken and released on November 2, 2020 by Racing Photos shows Irish horse Tiger Moth enjoy- fifth start and McEvoy knows now retired record-breaking dressed spectators usually bourne Cup heralds the return ing a sand roll after galloping at Werribee Racecourse, ahead of the Melbourne Cup to be run on Tuesday. (AFP) he is up against it. superstar mare Winx, has won flock to Flemington for a boozy of top-level sport to the city. “I think Anthony Van Dyck almost everything in racing day out, but the track will be power, the Melbourne Cup has tional horses, mostly Irish and draw at the weekend, but heads will be hard to beat,” McEvoy, except the Melbourne Cup and eerily quiet this year because of McEvoy targets fourth win Aus$8 million (US$5.6 mil- British, despite the pandemic. into the showpiece as the early who rode Brew to success in saddles New Zealand-bred Covid-19 restrictions with fans Regarded as the ultimate lion) at stake and a third of the The fancied Tiger Moth favourite alongside fellow Irish 2000, Almandin in 2016 and Verry Elleegant and Finche to instead huddled around televi- test of stamina and staying 24-strong field are interna- was handed a horror barrier raider Anthony Van Dyck. Cross Counter two years ago, try to break his duck. Sports Tuesday, November 3, 2020 15 Charge d’Affaires Ambassador of United States of America meets QFA President QFA DOHA

Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani, Presi- dent of the Qatar Football As- sociation (QFA), on Monday received in his office HE Greta C Holtz, Chargé d’Affaires Am- bassador of the United States of America, and her accompa- nying delegation. The reception was at- tended Saud bin Abdulaziz Al Mohannadi, Vice-President of QFA, Mansour Al Ansari, General-Secretary of QFA, Ali Daoud, Executive Director of the Office of QFA President, and Mushtaq Al Waili, Execu- tive Director of the Strategic and Institutional Planning Of- fice of QFA. The QFA president re- ceived the American delega- tion to discuss strengthening Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani, President of the Qatar Football Association (QFA), was presented with a memento and a souvenir by HE Greta C Holtz, Chargé d’Affaires Ambassador of USA on Monday. of relations between the two countries. ture possibilities to develop munication in the interest of participation in the Gold Cup QFA continued progress in the best players from around commemorative shields were The two also discussed is- the relations further, football in both countries. championship organized by times to come. the globe. exchanged. sues of common interest. During the meeting, the Qatar’s on-going prepa- the CONCACAF. The event Holtz appreciated the role The US diplomat said she The QFA President pre- The QFA president un- two officials discussed to ways ration to host the 2022 FIFA will be hosted by the US from played by the State of Qatar would be extending all help to sented the official jersey of derlined the distinguished to develop future football co- World Cup was also discussed July 10 until August 1 next in the world of sport, noting facilitate Qatar and the US in the Qatar national team to the relations between the Qatari operation falling within the during the meeting. year 2021. that the host of the 2022 FIFA developing their sports coop- Chargé d’Affaires Ambassador and American football fed- framework of exchanging ex- The two officials also The American Chargé World Cup has hosted a series eration further. decorated with her name and erations, pointing out the fu- periences and regular com- talked about Qatar’s debut d’Affaires Ambassador wished of top sports events, attracting At the end of the meeting, bearing the number 22.

QSL names Best Coach, Players for September & October

Al Rayyan face Ahli seeking first win Tribune News Network October and will face Al Sadd Doha in the final on 18th December. The Wolves beat Al Duhail 4-1 Seeking to strengthen their in the other semifinal. Al Sadd midfielder Santi Cazorla, Al Sadd coach Xavi Hernandez, and Al Gharafa’s Human Al Ameen have position in the 2020-21 season Al Arabi are placed second been named as QNB Stars League’s Best Player, Coach and U-23 Player for the months of September of Ooredoo Cup, Al Rayyan with seven points. They had and October. will face Al Ahli in Round 4 of beaten Al Ahli 5-1 and Umm Cazorla scored four goals and made four assists in the five matches he’s played. The Spainiard joined his their Group B clash at the Al Salal 3-0 before being held 1-1 former international teammate Xavi at Al Sadd in July. “This is a new era for me,” he had said. Arabi Stadium on Tuesday at by Al Rayyan in Round 3. The 35-year-old has played 81 times for Spain and won Euro 2008 and Euro 2012. 5.15pm. Xavi excelled for Al Sadd with his team scoring a total of 20 goals which conceding only four in the five Al Rayyan could open their Al Rayyan had lost 1-4 matches. Humam Al Ameen bought to light his talent, scoring 26 successful passes during the 440 min- account only in the last round utes of his atcion time on the field in the five matches played.(TNN) following their 1-1 draw with to Al Kharaitiyat and 0-2 Al Arabi. The Lions are fourth to Al Gharafa in Round in the group with one point. 1 and 2 respectively They have the same number of Qatar takes part point and goal difference (-5) while Al Ahli are lying at as Umm Salal, but are placed the bottom of Group B Delhi seal second spot in IPL in meeting of better by virtue of having with one point that they scored more number of goals heads of (2 as against Umm Salal’s 1). earned from their 1-1 Al Rayyan had lost 1-4 to draw with Umm Salal in play-offs, Bangalore qualify too Arab Sports Al Kharaitiyat and 0-2 to Al Round 3. Gharafa in Round 1 and 2 re- Federations spectively while Al Ahli are AFP eliminator on Friday. lying at the bottom of Group Al Kharaitiyat vs Umm Dubai Delhi bowlers stood out QNA B with one point that they Salal at Al Khor Stadium with Nortje returning figures Doha earned from their 1-1 draw On the same day, Al Pacemen Anrich Nortje and of 3-33 and Rabada taking two with Umm Salal in Round 3. Kharaitiyat will meet Umm Kagiso Rabada combined to wickets to lead the IPL bowling The Qatar Boxing and Wres- The Brigadiers have the Salal in Round 4 (Group B) help Delhi Capitals take sec- with 25 wickets in 14 games. tling Federation and the Qatar same number of point as Al match at the Al Khor Stadium ond spot in the Indian Premier “I feel that the bowlers Table Tennis Federation par- Rayyan and Umm Salal, but at 7.30pm. League play-offs with a win were really up with their plans ticipated via videoconferenc- found themselves bottom- Al Kharaitiyat are cur- over Royal Challengers Banga- and knew what they had to ing in the meeting of the heads placed on goal difference (-6 rently third in the group with lore on Monday. execute,” said Delhi skipper of Arab sports federations as against -5 of both Al Rayyan six points, behind Al Gharafa Shreyas Iyer. with the participation of about and Umm Salal). (nine points) and Al Arabi “Mumbai are one of the 50 presidents, vice-presidents, Al Ahli had lost 1-5 to Al (seven points), that they have best teams in the tournament. and secretary-general. Arabi and 0-2 to Al Kharaitiyat from their victories over Al We need to keep things simple, President of the Qatar Box- in Round 1 and 2 respectively. Rayyan (4-1) and Al Ahli (2-0) I think we’ve played good that’s what we discussed in the ing and Wrestling Federation Both Al Rayyan and Al Ahli in the first two rounds. enough cricket in this meetings. Stick to the basics.” (QBWF) Yousuf Ali Al Kazim are winless, but they still have However, Al Kharaitiyat tournament to qualify. We Ravichandran Ashwin got and, President of the Qatari chances of reaching the knock- suffered a 1-3 defeat at the can be more brave in the the key wicket of Kohli for 29 and Arab Table Tennis Fed- out quarterfinals. hands of Al Gharafa in Round back end, probably be and Nortje, who had earlier erations Khalil Ahmed Al Mo- 4. So The Thunders will be better in the powerplay dropped the skipper on 13 in hannadi praised the meeting Al Gharafa look to keep up keen to get back on the win- the outfield, struck twice in an and presented the activities of winning run against ning path when they cross (with the ball) which has over to dent Bangalore’s hopes the Arab boxing and table ten- Al Arabi swords with Umm Salal. been our strength. of a big total. nis federations, and the coro- Al Gharafa face Al Arabi in Umm Salal are placed fifth Nortje, who bowled the navirus (COVID-19) impact Round 4 (Group B) at the Al in Group B with only a point RCB skipper Virat Kohli quickest ball ever in the IPL 97 on the programs and competi- Arabi Stadium on Tuesday at they collected from their 1-1 mph (156.22 kph) last month, tions of the two federations, in 7.30pm. draw with Al Ahli in Round 3. Virat Kohli’s Bangalore, sent back opener Devdutt addition to plans and tourna- Al Gharafa are the only The Orange Fortress had lost who are chasing their maiden Delhi Capitlas’ Shikhar Dhawan and Ajinkya Rahane during their 88- Padikkal for 50 and Chris ments to be organized accord- team in the tournament with 0-2 to Al Gharafa in Round 1 IPL title along with Delhi, also run second-wicket stand against Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Morris for nought. ing to the planned agenda. an all-win record and have the and then 0-3 to Al Arabi. made the play-offs despite their IPL at on Sunday. The left-right batting com- The conference agenda in- most number of points so far. Al Rayyan, Umm Salal and six-wicket loss in Abu Dhabi. bine of Dhawan, who scored cluded speeches and interven- The Cheetahs are topping the Al Ahli are all on one point, “It’s a mixed bag. you has been our strength.” Delhi will clash with Mum- 54, and Rahane, who made 60, tions by heads of Arab sports group with nine points. but Al Rayyan are placed come to games to try and get The South African bowl- bai in the first qualifier on put on a key 88-run second- federations, in addition to They defeated Umm Salal ahead of Umm Salal by virtue a result your way,” said Kohli, ing duo of Nortje and Rabada Thursday and the loser will get wicket stand to set up Delhi’s discussing efforts made by the and Al Rayyan by an identi- of having scored more number whose team ended the league shared five wickets between another chance in the second win after four losses. General Secretariat during the cal 2-0 margin in the first two of goals (2 as against Umm phase with seven wins and them as Delhi restricted Ban- qualifier to make the final on previous period. The meeting rounds, and beat Al Kharaiti- Salal’s 1) after both teams had seven losses. galore to 152 for seven. November 10. Scores: approved recommendations yat 3-1 in Round 3. same goal difference (-5). Al “I think we’ve played good Shikhar Dhawan and Bangalore will meet either Delhi Capitals 154 for 4 (Ra- of the conference of secretar- Al Arabi are also on a high, Ahli were pushed behind with enough cricket in this tourna- Ajinkya Rahane scored half- Sunrisers Hyderabad, who need hane 60, Dhawan 54, Ahmed ies-general of Arab sports fed- having qualified for the Amir a goal difference of -6. ment to qualify. We can be centuries as Delhi completed to win this season’s last league 2-26) beat Royal Challengers erations, which was held on Cup final after a gap of long Umm Salal, in their bid more brave in the back end, their chase in 19 overs to be game against Mumbai on Tues- Bangalore 152 for 7 (Padikkal July 16, 2020, as well as the 26 years. The Dream Team de- to keep their knockout hopes probably be better in the pow- placed behind holders and ta- day to book their last-four spot, 50, de Villiers 35, Nortje 3-33) unified statute of the games of feated Al Markhiya 2-0 in the alive, will surely give Al erplay (with the ball) which ble-toppers Mumbai Indians. or Kolkata Knight Riders in the by six wickets. Arab sports federations. first semifinal played on 30th Kharaitiyat a tough fight.