Djokovic in 7th heaven with Australian Open triumph PAGE 18 MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 2019

Roston Chase does the star turn as ASIAN CUP 2019 PAGE 19 West Indies crush England IRAN VS JAPAN (5PM)

ASIAN CUP 2019: 1ST SEMI-FINAL Queiroz calls for Iran to be confident against Japan DPA ABU DHABI

IRAN coach has attempted to paint his side as underdogs throughout the Asian Cup but has called on his team to be confident going into Monday’s semi- final with Japan. “We need to be ourselves and play with confidence and trust,” he told reporters in Al Ain on Sunday. “We have our own weap- ons to play with but, of course, we have to pay attention to the Japanese team and adapt and try to control the strong points, and they have a lot.” Prior to the tournament starting in the UAE, Queiroz claimed a last four spot was Iran’s target – a somewhat modest aim given they were ranked number one in Asia. Four wins from five with- out conceding a goal has re- Iran coach Carlos Queiroz wants his players (above) to show self-belief when they take on four-time Asian Cup champions Japan (right) in the 2019 semi-final in Abu Dhabi on Monday. inforced the belief they are a favourite to lift the trophy in “It’s a hundred per cent one’s dream.” developing after five wins from Should Moriyasu lead Japan fore going on to lift the trophy. and at the first Asian Cup in Ja- the February 1 final. our dream to win the 2019 Iran will be without the five to date, all by a single goal. to a fifth continental title he will “I hope the players here pan I felt the attention from the Either the hosting United AFC Asian Cup,” said Not- suspended Mehdi Taremi who “When we came to this tour- become the first to win the Asian will play as well as we did in people was growing higher and Arab Emirates or Qatar, who tingham Forest forward Karim picked up a second booking in nament we already knew every Cup as both player and coach that game,” he said. “When we higher each time we played. We play on Tuesday, will meet the Ansarifard. the quarter-final cruise over game would be difficult and we having been part of his country’s compare the situations from had never won the title, so we winner of the first semi-final. “Hopefully it happens as China. can return. prepared for that,” he said. maiden success in 1992. when I was a player and now, had a lot of motivation. Victory over Japan would we are all dreaming of Iran be- Japan meanwhile will “We’re not a perfect team In that home tournament there’s a big difference. “But now winning is nor- secure Iran a first final place ing the champions. We will try have Yoshinori Muto available and we’re not a mature team, Japan scored late on in a game “When I was a player, Ja- mal and the players have to since the last of three consecu- for the people of our country, again and coach Hajime Mori- so we’re developing in every with Iran to eliminate Team pan was transitioning from play with a lot of pressure and tive title triumphs in 1976. so that we can achieve every- yasu hopes his side can keep game we play.” Melli from the group phase be- amateurism to professionalism that’s the different part.”

UPBEAT AL ANNABI GEAR UP FOR CLASH AGAINST UAE Familiarity, stability paying Nothing’s impossible, says Abdelkarim

dividends: Khoukhi AFC What I have learned in football, is there is rea (Republic) were strong ABU DHABI nothing (that is) impossible. Everything is and we had to defend to stop AFC possible, so we will keep working hard them from scoring against us ABU DHABI ON the verge of his side’s first and pushing, until the end. and we did it. ever AFC Asian Cup semi- — Qatar’s star left-back “We did it, we wrote his- QATAR’S says familiar- final, Qatar’s star left-back tory and we enter history (be- ity and stability within his side’s playing and Abdelkarim Hassan has a five successive matches, and club teammate Akram Afif, ing) the first time in the Asian coaching ranks is a positive factor in their simple message – anything beaten three former champi- and in-form striker Almoez Cup that Qatar arrive in this surge to a first ever AFC Asian Cup semi-final. is possible. ons in a row, to reach the final Ali - who remains one goal stage, and I am very proud of The West Asians earned a slice history Qatar’s success would four for the first time history. away from equalling Ali my teammates, from the head on Friday, defeating two-time winners and have been difficult to imagine An unused substitute no Daei’s tournament record of coach to the administration, 2015 runners-up Korea Republic thanks to four years ago. Hassan, an more, Hassan is the 2018 eight – Hassan has become a because we work hard, and a Abdelaziz’s Hatim’s 78th-minute screamer at unused substitute, watched AFC Player of the Year, key figure in Felix Sanchez’s lot, to reach this stage. Zayed Sports City Stadium. on as Bahrain’s Sayed Ahmed and, with such significant side, but suspension made “What can I say? It’s won- The achievement is the latest for a side scored eight minutes from changes, the 25-year-old is him a spectator during their derful, and mabrouk for it.” packed with young talents to have blos- time to deliver a final blow to not one to set limits on what historic quarter-final against The next challenge is a somed under the tutelage of head coach Felix Al Annabi’s 2015 campaign. can be achieved. Korea Republic. semi-final against the United Sanchez, who also coached 11 players from Three successive losses “What I have learned in Despite not being able to Arab Emirates; the same side the current squad at last year’s AFC U-23 meant Hassan’s side left Aus- football, is there is nothing personally impact the break- who dealt the first blow, a 4-1 Championship. tralia without a single point. (that is) impossible,” said through 1-0 win, Hassan wore defeat, to the campaign of 2015. The Qatari starting line-up also featured no After years of steady progress, the Al Sadd dynamo. one of the biggest smiles at A sixth win in a row would less than seven players from the Al Sadd club, and a quarter-final appear- “Everything is Zayed Sports City Stadium, see Qatar into their first ever including Khoukhi, who believes those exam- ance on home soil four years possible, so we and remains delighted with AFC Asian Cup final, and a ples of continuity are aiding the team’s cause. Boualem Khoukhi of Qatar (right) during the AFC prior, it was their worst ever will keep working his country’s achievement. seventh would make them “For sure, it gives us stability for the team,” Asian Cup quarter-final against S Korea.(EPA-EFE) result at an AFC Asian Cup. hard and pushing, “I cannot say anything champions. All unthinkable said the 28-year-old. Skip forward four years until the end.” about the game,” he four years ago, but in 2019, “Felix has been with most of our players midfielder, winger or forward, and has 15 in- and the circumstances are Along- said. “Ko- according to Hassan, any- since seven years ago. This is an advantage for ternational goals to his name, including one unrecognisable. side thing is possible. us, and also, we have prepared the team for a in this tournament during his side’s 6-0 group Qatar have won year, so everything went the way Felix wanted. stage win over DPR Korea. “We hope that we can achieve something in The utility revealed his delight at being a this competition.” part of history. Khoukhi turned in a superb display in the “I’d like to congratulate our players, my heart of the Qatari defence, helping to restrict teammates, the technical staff, the administra- a Korean attack which featured Son Heung- tion and everyone who have supported us. Qatar have won five succes- A sixth win would see min among several other attacking weapons. “I’d like also to thank the Oman fans who sive matches & beaten three Qatar into their first ever His performance was even more impres- have been supporting us during the competi- sive when considering he is also adept as a tion. We now will focus on the semi-finals.” former champions in a row AFC Asian Cup final Hosts offer free tickets to garner fans’ support for semis vs Qatar AFC cil, and distributed to fans ea- Tickets were distributed providers is strictly prohibited. ABU DHABI ger to support the UAE in the at various locations with long “The AFC takes a serious semi-final on Tuesday. queues forming and all the view of this breach and rein- THE Abu Dhabi Sports Coun- The Abu Dhabi Sports tickets snapped up. The Mo- forces its commitment to pro- cil has purchased all remain- Council, in a statement on its hammed bin Zayed Stadium’s tect the interest of fans who ing tickets for the AFC Asian official social media account, seating capacity is 42,000. have legitimately purchased Cup UAE 2019 semi-final said: “Under the directive of Meanwhile, the Asian tickets from the official chan- between the host nation and Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed, Football Confederation has nels and more importantly, to Qatar at the Mohammed bin Abu Dhabi Sports Council an- reminded that ticket sales ensure the safety and security Zayed Stadium. nounces that it has purchased by unauthorised providers is of our fans, teams and all our The tickets were purchased all the remaining tickets of strictly prohibited. stakeholders.” on the directive of Sheikh our team’s match in the semi- “As stipulated in the tick- The Qatar-UAE semi-final Nahyan Bin Zayed, Chairman final and they will be offered eting terms and conditions, will kick-off at 7pm Qatar of the Abu Dhabi Sports Coun- to loyal UAE fans.” tickets sales by unauthorised time on Tuesday. Sports Monday, January 28, 2019 17

QATAR FOLLOWERS TAKE TO TWITTER IN SUPPORT OF AL ANNABI ‘Free tickets to fans by hosts already a psychological defeat’ IKOLI VICTOR matches in the tournament. the biggest welcoming and game is evidence of internal Fans of the maroon bri- <”, he tweeted. psychological defeat to com- gade have taken to Twitter to Another twitter user said: pensate for the feeling of infe- QATARI football fans are very express their support ahead “Goalkeeper of our national riority. Thank God that made sure that given the incred- of the biggest game in Qa- team Saad God bless him our opponent this weak.” ible form, the Al Annabi will tar’s football history, with the and help him to keep another A fan @Omovl95gmdk6lXt book their place in the final of hashtag #BΩϧΎγϳBϱέρϘϟ΍BΩϧέΗϟ΍ clean sheet.” tweeted: “We are with you and the Asian Cup 2019 when they ϲΑΎϧόϟ΍ (SupportforAl Annabi). Sulamani said the fighting we long to win. It is enough to meet hosts UAE – backed by It was the most trend- spirit is the key for the play- be proud that despite the quib- a strong 42,000 home crowd ing topic on Twitter in Qatar ers and hope they deliver an ble, harassment and provoca- with free tickets to fill the Mo- on Sunday. amazing show to book their tion you have reached the hammed Bin Zayed Stadium – A Twitter user Abu khalid place in the final. semi-finals and you have been in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. hopes the players bring the tro- He tweeted: “God give you rewarded that you are the ones The FIFA 2022 World Cup phy home despite the absence the most important thing for who are successful.” hosts have wowed all with of Qatari fans in the UAE. the game, fighting spirit and However, others took to their scintillating performance “Please God bless you an honourable performance twitter to predict the scoreline in the group stage, scoring my country kids.

Qatar Football Association President meets captain, coach ahead of semis Less travel will boost player performance in 2022: Källström SC.QA have opportunities to see two DOHA games a day. It’s going to be easy for them – one hotel, one FORMER Sweden star Kim flight ticket, and they don’t Källström has praised Qatar have to worry about following 2022’s compact tournament their team around.” plans – along with the coun- Källström, who appeared try’s futuristic stadium de- for Sweden at three European signs – during a visit to the Championship finals, also Supreme Committee for De- praised Qatar’s stadiums – livery & Legacy (SC). many of which are modular Källström, who won 131 and will have some of their caps for Sweden and repre- seats donated to developing sented his country at the 2006 countries after 2022. FIFA World Cup, was visiting “The stadiums are amaz- Qatar for the first time just a ing – I really like the designs, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed al Thani, President of the Qatar Football Association (QFA) greets year after hanging up his boots. which reflect Qatari life,” said Felix Sanchez, head coach of Qatar national football team, and speaks with captain Hassan Haydos (left) The former Lyon, Rennes Källström. “They look beau- at the Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. Al Annabi will face hosts UAE in the semi- and Spartak Moscow player tiful and they are also built finals of the Asian Cup 2019 on Tuesday. Qatar won all their group matches, scoring ten goals without told www.sc.qa the compact in a smart way for the legacy conceding even one until this stage. Qatar beat Iraq in the Round of 16 by a lone goal before shocking nature of Qatar 2022 would plans.” The first FIFA World South Korea in the quarter-finals via a stunning goal from Abdulaziz Hatem. be a major boost for players Cup in the Arab world will be and fans. The longest dis- positive for both Qatar and the tance between stadiums will region, according to Källström. be just 55km in 2022, with “It’s important to take the fans having the chance to at- World Cup to new countries. Palace send tend more than one match a Qatar has its issues but is mak- Messi shines as Barca day during the early stages of ing improvements. Progress is Tottenham the tournament. being made and having the “Probably the only thing World Cup in your country packing in footballers complain about is can help you to evolve and the constant travelling,” said develop. I’m truly impressed FA Cup sweep past Girona 2-0 Källström, who now works as with the developments here, a TV pundit. and also the hospitality.” DPA “You change hotel a lot, es- Källström is hoping Swe- LONDON pecially during tournaments, den can qualify for Qatar 2022 The fixture was to be played in United States but was moved back to Spain and it affects your recovery. after an impressive showing CRYSTAL Palace beat Tot- The plans here are amazing in Russia last summer. The tenham 2-0 in the FA Cup on AFP – and have never been seen Swedes made it all the way to Sunday, sending their London GIRONA, SPAIN before. They will probably the quarter-finals – where they rivals out of a knockout compe- help the level of football as were beaten by England – after tition for the second time in four LIONEL Messi scored a sub- players won’t be exhausted.” coming through a group con- days. Connor Wickham, in his lime goal to make up for the Källström continued: “It’s go- taining Germany, the defend- first start in over two years, and missed trip to Miami as Barce- ing to be great for the players ing champions, Mexico and Andros Townsend scored at lona beat Girona 2-0 on Sun- – and also the fans. They will Korea Republic. Selhurst Park as Palace moved day to go five points clear again into the fifth round. “We knew at the top of La Liga. it was going to be difficult,” ex- This was the fixture intend- Tottenham winger Townsend ed to be played in the United told BT Sport. States but any advantage Giro- “We knew we had to defend na maintained by keeping it at well, we did that tremendously. their own Montilivi ground was “All in all it was a great per- cancelled out by Messi, and an- formance and we wait to see other ruthless Barca display. who we get in the next round.” Messi’s brilliant finish in Kieran Trippier missed a pen- the second half, his ninth goal alty for Tottenham, who also in as many games, came after lost to Chelsea in a League Cup Nelson Semedo had given the semi-final shoot-out on Thurs- visitors an early lead, before day. Wickham, fully fit after Bernardo Espinosa’s red card suffering a serious knee injury consigned Girona to 39 min- Barcelona’s Lionel Messi scores his goal against Girona in their Spanish La Liga Santander match at Kim Kallstrom at the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy in November 2016, opened the utes with 10 men. Montilivi ground, in Girona, Spain, on Sunday. (REUTERS) office at the Al Bidda Tower in Doha. scoring in the ninth minute with The home fans were left a tap-in and Townsend doubled incensed by that decision, as had supported the idea, with in a row. rebound cleared off the line by the lead with a penalty. Spurs well as Messi’s reaction they various perks dangled in front Girona hustled and harried Gerard Pique. could have gotten back into the believed had caused it, but the of fans, including free flights their opponents in the open- They had the momentum game just before half-time but Argentinian’s goal offered the and tickets, not to mention ing minutes but the goal was before half-time but it was Trippier fired well wide with his perfect riposte. the chance to be part of some- soft as they failed to clear three checked shortly after as Espi- own spot-kick. Barcelona restore their thing “historic”. times before Semedo’s left foot nosa caught Suarez from be- Fernando Llorente had a hefty advantage over Atletico Girona’s home, however, swept the ball into the bottom hind and, after protests from pair of second-half chances Madrid, who had cut the gap to is here and when opposition corner. Barca were in control Messi, was shown a second yel- saved by Palace keeper Julian two by beating Getafe on Sat- proved too great, neither team and should have made it two, low card. Speroni as the Eagles held out to urday. Real Madrid will have wanted to appear disappoint- only for Philippe Coutinho to But it seemed inevitable move into the last 16. to overcome Espanyol later on ed. “I always felt it was a distant hit the goalkeeper after Messi Messi would have the final say. Palace, Manchester City, Sunday just to reduce their own option,” Barca coach Ernesto had sent him clear. Luis Suarez threaded Jordi Manchester United and Wat- deficit to 10. Outside the sta- Valverde said on Saturday. Girona survived and then Alba through, with Messi un- ford are the only dium before kick-off, propped The setting probably would grew into the game. Marc- marked in the middle. teams already into the fifth up on a railing, was a sign with have made little difference to Andre ter Stegen scuttled for- Out rushed the goalkeeper round, while Wolverhampton a scrawled message that read: the result - just the integrity ward and back from Pedro but Messi’s chip was so good, and Brighton will have to win re- “Miami, here we come”. of the competition – given Gi- Porro’s cross and Espinosa even the diving Porro was pow- plays to advance. Holders Chel- La Liga had hoped to drag rona are now without a win in should have headed in. Cris- erless to keep it out. Some of Former Sweden star Kim Kallstrom (right) vies for the ball with sea can join them by beating this game there to promote 10 matches while Barca have thian Stuani was denied by the Girona’s fans, previously furi- Radja Nainggolan of Belgium during Euro 2016 in France. Sheffield Wednesday. Spanish football and the clubs managed eight league victories goalkeeper’s legs, with Porro’s ous, now stood up to applaud. 18 Monday, January 28, 2019 Sports Dominant Djokovic wins magnificent seventh Australian Open title Nadal says needs ‘time, work’ to beat Djokovic REUTERS MELBOURNE

A chastened Rafa Nadal said even his best tennis may have not been enough against a ram- pant Novak Djokovic. Although reaching the final without dropping a set, Nadal said he was still short of his best after a long injury lay-off follow- ing the U.S. Open and lacked an edge to pressure the Serb. “Of course, he played, I think, fantastic. At the same time it’s true that when he’s playing that way, I think I need- ed something else,” the 17-times Grand Slam champion Nadal told reporters. “I was not able to have that extra thing tonight, being hon- est. Playing the way he played tonight, I needed that defensive game to finally have the chance to be offensive. When he was A combination of photos shows Serbia’s Novak Djokovic celebrating with the championship trophy which he won in 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2019 at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Mel- hitting, it’s true that maybe it bourne. The Serbian World Number one beat rival Rafael Nadal in the final on Sunday.(AFP) was difficult to beat him even if I was at my 100 percent (level). The Serbian dominated Nadal to win his materialised with Nadal un- Total control had served eight aces to Na- But probably it would have been characteristically nervous at Djokovic was in total dal’s one and made just four a little bit more of a fight.” 15th Grand Slam title in just over 2 hours the start and Djokovic taking an control on his own delivery unforced errors while the Despite the thrashing, the immediate advantage that he I’m just trying to and won his first four service Spaniard had coughed up 20. defiant Spaniard said his five- AFP plate on the journey in the last would never relinquish. contemplate on the games without conceding a When Djokovic broke set semi-final loss to Djokovic at MELBOURNE 12 months,” said an emotional “Even if tonight was not my journey in the last 12 single point, even inducing again in the third game of the Wimbledon last year was more Djokovic, pausing for breath to best day of course I had some- Nadal to miss a forehand com- third set it was just a matter disappointing. AN imperious Novak Djokovic compose himself and not be- one that played a lot better than months. To be standing pletely on the way to grabbing of how quickly he would fin- “What I need is time, I need won a record magnificent sev- come tearful. me tonight,” said Nadal. now here in front of you the set in 36 minutes. ish off Nadal. The end was work and I need more weeks enth Australian Open title by “I had the surgery exactly “I have been going through today and managing to The second set followed a swift, as Djokovic withstood like this one,” said Nadal. routing Rafael Nadal 6-3, 6-2, 12 months ago,” he added, re- tough moments in the last year. similar pattern, with Djokovic one break point at 3-2 before “That’s really the only thing 6-3 Sunday with a display of ferring to an elbow operation I was not able to play until the win this title and three out racing through games on his administering the last rites that I hope, is to have the chance flawless tennis. that saw him slump out of the first round here. Even if tonight of four Slams, this is own serve, while Nadal strug- in a flurry of winners off both to keep practising well and to The Serbian world number world’s top 20 before bouncing was not my night it’s so impor- amazing. I am speechless. gled to hold. wings. have the chance to keep playing one dominated the Spanish sec- back to win Wimbledon and tant for me to be where I am The pressure told in the Victory extended his win- with healthy conditions.” ond seed to win his 15th Grand the US Open. coming back from injury.” Novak Djokovic fifth game and Djokovic broke loss record against Nadal to Slam title in just 2hr 4min on “To be standing now here in Djokovic noted that the duo again when Nadal hit a lob 28-25 and squared the Grand Rod Laver Arena. front of you today and manag- had both endured injury-rav- many young tennis players volley long after an exchange Slam final count between the It put Djokovic, 31, out ing to win this title and three out aged 2018 campaigns. around the world what is defi- at the net. pair at 4-4. on his own ahead of Roger of four Slams, this is amazing. I “Obviously a tough match nition of the fighting spirit and The on-song Serb was so Djokovic has now com- Federer and Roy Emerson, am speechless.” tonight, but ... you came back resilience.” fired up he broke Nadal again pleted a hat-trick of Slams fol- who both won six Austral- The pair’s only previous fi- from an injury that took you The Spaniard had not had to go to 5-2 before serving out lowing his wins at Wimbledon ian Open men’s singles titles. nal in Australia, in 2012, devel- out from the tour since Sep- his service broken since the for a two-set lead with three and the US Open. He will go Djokovic dropped to his knees oped into a record-breaking 5hr tember last year,” Djokovic third set of his first round match aces in a row with just 1hr to Paris in May for the French and kissed the ground after 53min slugfest -- the longest in said of Nadal. but that streak ended in a flash 16min on the clock. Open seeking to become the vanquishing his greatest rival. Grand Slam history. “You’re showing to me and as the Serb came sprinting out The statistics were as tell- only man in the Open Era to “I’m just trying to contem- A repeat of that epic never to all your other colleagues and of the blocks. ing as the scoreline: Djokovic win all four majors twice. French duo claim AO doubles Borel, Beljajeva rule Fencing Grand Prix du Qatar 2019

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK DOHA

YANNICK Borel claimed the men’s Epee individual gold medal at the FIE Fenc- ing Grand Prix Qatar 2019 against Spaniard Yulen Pereira of Spain 15-4 after just two periods at the Aspire Dome on Sunday. World number one, Fifth seeded Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Nicolas Mahut won their Borel, who is also world and fourth Grand Slam men’s doubles title when they were crowned Europenan champion, put Australian Open champions Sunday in a tough final 6-4, 7-6 (7/1). on a dominant display racing The French pair overcame Finland’s Henri Kontinen and Australia’s to take a large lead to make it John Peers, seeded 12, to become one of an elite group of just a one-sided final in what was eight to claim doubles titles at all four of the major tournaments. expected to be a highly con- “Nicolas, our first tournament together was here in 2015 and we tested match. went all the way to the final,” said Herbert. “Now we have won all The 23-year-old Pererira of the Grand Slams. Thanks for sharing the court with me. It has started with an attacking been fun.” They are the second all-French pair to win in Australia intent but the more experi- after Michael Llodra and Fabrice Santoro, who won back-to-back enced Borel thwarted his at- titles in 2003-04. (AFP) tacks scoring points in the process to finish the first pe- riod. From (left) runner-up Yulen Pereira of Spain, winner Yannick Borel of France and third-placed duo of Hoyle Jacob (USA) and Nikishin Bogdan of Pereira finally scored Ukraine after the men’s epee final of the FIE Fencing Grand Prix du Qatar at the Aspire Dome on Sunday. some points in the second but Borel quckly closed out Saina wins Indonesia Masters the match 15-4. Hoyle Jacob of the US as Marin withdraws after injury and Ukrainian Nikishin Bog- dan finished tied for third. IANS In the women’s Epee final, JAKARTA Ukraine’s Kseniya Pantelye- va failed to outduel Estonian ACE Indian shuttler Saina Ne- and 2014 Doha silver medal- hwal was crowned champion ist Julia Beljajeva in a thrill- of the Indonesia Masters 2019 ing final which finished 15-11. on Sunday after her opponent The former world champion Carolina Marin pulled out of in Budapest 2013, showed the summit clash due to an poise and grit against a tough injury. Pantelyeva Marin, the reigning Olym- Jung Hyojung of South pic champion and three-time Korea and Russia’s Violetta world champion, twisted her Kolobova finished third. right knee after landing awk- Saina Nehwal consoles Carolina About 372 players from wardly following a smash in Marin as she retires due to an in- 55 countries participated in the first game itself. jury during the women’s final at the the first Grand Prix of the The Spanish shuttler was 2019 Daihatsu Indonesia Masters year carried a total prize- leading 10-4 before her dis- tournament on Sunday. (AFP) money of $12,000 each in comfort and pain made her both categories. The winner pull out of the mega final. the 2018 edition of the Indo- takes home $5,000, while the From (left) second-placed Ukraininan Kseniya Pantelyeyeva, winner Julia Beljajeva of Estonia, Jung Hyojung of South Korea and Russia’s Violetta Saina was the runner-up in nesia Masters. runner-up gets $3,000. Kolobova pose on the podium after the women’s epee individual finals of the FIE Grand Prix du Qatar. Sports Monday, January 28, 2019 19 Attiyah expected to lead Pak Manateq QCCR entries crush Scott Abraham, managing director of the Big field likely for the South Racing and South Racing Can-Am Teams, has also confirmed that his Russelsheim-based 1st round of FIA World operation will send vehicles to the Qatar event. SA, South Racing built Can-Am Maverick X3s that claimed the first four places in the Side-by-Side Cup for Cross-Country (SxS) category at the recent Dakar Rally and there were 17 cars built by the team at the finish after Rallies in Qatar in Lima last week. In 2017, South Racing-run cars – in the TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK hands of Germany’s Jürgen Schröder and Span- DOHA iard Fernando Alvarez – finished eighth and ICC 12th in Qatar. Alvarez returned last April in a NASSER bin Saleh al Attiyah, the Arab world’s new Volkswagen Amarok, but retired on the fi- most famous rally driver and a sporting am- nal day after sub-frame damage and hefty time bassador for the State of Qatar, is expected to penalties. slaps top the entry list for the Manateq Qatar Cross- This year’s FIA off-road scene has been split Country Rally (QCCR), the opening round of into two different championships by officials at the FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Rallies, the sport’s governing body and five long distance on February 21-26. five or six-day events in Qatar, Abu Dhabi, Turk- ban on menistan, Kazakhstan and Morocco will count for the FIA World Cup, while eight shorter Baja- style events in Russia, Dubai, Italy, Spain, Hun- gary, Poland, Jordan and Portugal constitute a new FIA Baja series. Sarfraz Organised by the Qatar Motor and Motor- cycle Federation (QMMF), the Manateq Qatar Cross-Country Rally gets underway with a cer- emonial start on The Pearl-Qatar on February Pakistan’s Usman Shinwari (centre) celebrates after castling South Africa’s Dale Steyn during their fourth One-Day International at the 21 and finishes on February 26. Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on Sunday. Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmed could not play the match as he was handed a four-match The event will also host rounds of the suspension for his racist remark against Andile Phehlukwayo in the previous ODI. (AFP) Manateq Qatar National Baja Championship. The sixth round of the 2019 series was won last QATAR’S STAR RALLYIST NASSER BIN SALEH AL weekend by the Qatari duo of Ahmed Allouh and Sinwari triggers South Africa collapse; Visitors win by eight wickets ATTIYAH: Fresh from his third Dakar Rally victory. Nasser al Kuwari in a T3 Can-Am Maverick X3. The Losail Sports Arena plays host to the AFP presentation that Pakistan The ban had still not been Miller before fellow left-arm Fresh from his domination of the recent event for the first time with the bivouac located JOHANNESBURG only found out after they ar- announced by the ICC when fast bowler Usman Shinwari Dakar Rally, where he and French navigator in the grounds of the stadium. rived at the ground that Sar- Malik walked out for the toss. claimed four wickets in six balls. Matthieu Baumel guided Toyota to a first-ever Further entry information and details are PAKISTAN shrugged off a four- fraz had been banned under Malik handled his bowlers He finished with 4 for 35 and victory on the world’s toughest rally, Attiyah is available from Davy Patterson, the QMMFs of- match suspension imposed on the International Cricket and fielders astutely and South was named man of the match. expected to try and win back the FIA World Cup ficial co-ordinator, Email: davypatterson777@ captain Sarfraz Ahmed with a Council’s anti-racism code for Africa were kept under pres- Imam, the top scorer in the and Qatar titles that he last won in 2017. gmail.com. Regulations and Rally Guide 1 are crushing eight-wicket win over remarks aimed at South Afri- sure almost from the time he series, looked in control from The Qatari’s home off-road event is close available for download from www.qatarcross- South Africa in the fourth one- can all-rounder Andile Phe- won the toss and sent them in the start of Pakistan’s reply. to his heart and the host nation’s sporting all- country.com. day international at the Wan- hlukwayo during the second on a pitch which had early life. He and Fakhar Zaman (44) rounder has already secured victory on the Entries for rounds of the 2019 FIA World Cup derers Stadium on Sunday. match in Durban on Tuesday. Shaheen Shah Afridi put on 70 for the first wicket event on five occasions (2012 and 2014-2017) for Cross-Country Rallies must be done online on The result levelled the five- Sarfraz was heard mak- made two early strikes before before he was joined by the in seven years. the FIA website. All competitors must complete match series at 2-2. The de- ing a comment in Urdu about Hashim Amla (59) and captain in-form Babar Azam, who fin- Entries officially close on February 5, but the the online entry form at https://registrations. ciding match will be in Cape Andile Phehlukwayo during Faf du Plessis (57) made half- ished with 41 not out. opening round of the FIA World Cup is sure to fia.com/rally to be eligible to score points in the Town on Wednesday. last week’s one day internation- centuries and put on 101 for It was South Africa’s first attract many of the sport’s leading protagonists, World Cup and associated competitions. Pakistan’s bowlers set up al in Durban, where the South the third wicket. defeat in eight matches on what despite its close proximity to the South Ameri- For further information about the 2019 the win, bowling out South African all-rounder earned a Malik’s use of spinners has become known as ‘Pink Day’ can event that finished on January 17. Qatar Cross-Country Rally, interested rallyists Africa for 164. Imam-ul-Haq match-winning partnership Imad Wasim and Shadab with their players and many The German X-raid is likely to send cars to may contact the Qatar Motor and Motor Cy- made 71 before playing a loose with Rassie van der Dussen. Khan kept the scoring rate in spectators dressed in pink in aid the deserts of Qatar, with Poland’s Jakub Przy- cle Federation (QMMF), Losail Sports Arena, shot when the scores were lev- The Pakistan captain later check and both batsmen fell to of breast cancer awareness. gonski and his Belgian navigator Tom Colsoul Al-Wusail, North Relief Road, PO Box 8708, el as Pakistan cruised to vic- apologised for the comment the slow men before the fast Brief Scores looking to target the defence of their FIA World Doha, Qatar, Tel: + 974 443 79885, Fax: + 974 tory with 18.3 overs to spare. on Twitter. The apology was bowlers returned. Pakistan 168 for 2 (Imam 71, Babar 41*, Phehlukwayo Cup title and the first win they claimed in a MINI 443 79732, E-mail: [email protected] and Stand-in captain Shoaib given weight by the ICC as it Mohammad Amir dis- 1-17) beat South Africa 164 (Amla 59, du Plessis 57, John Cooper Works Rally in Qatar last April. website: www.qmmf.com Malik said at the after-match handed out its suspension. missed the dangerous David Shinwari 4-35, Afridi 2-24) by eight wickets. Khelaifi continues to stretch his QTCC lead

laps to reach the front but Another double for the Honda S2000 when Abdulla saw me behind him, he pressed to open a gap driver despite tight battle with and maintained it till the end. Thanks to the organisation Saadon al Kuwari for this championship and helping all those drivers who TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK over 39 seconds adrift of the are doing very well. I hope to DOHA winner. Hamad al Sulaiti see a new generation of driv- (Toyota GT86) and Hamad Al ers on the top,” Kuwari said. DEFENDING Qatar Tour- Asam (Toyota Integra) were For Mohamad al Khaiat, Roston Chase of West Indies, who claimed 8 for 60, at the end of ing Car champion Abdulla al fourth and fifth, respectively. runner-up in the second race the fourth day of the first Test against England at the Kensington Oval Khelaifi stamped his authority The second race was held of the first round, the third in Bridgetown, Barbados, on Saturday. (AFP) on the series once again as he with the reverse grid. De- round was not very good. He wrapped up his third succes- spite starting from the back, had some mechanical prob- sive double at the Losail Inter- Khelaifi and Kuwari, who lems in his car and he fin- Chase spells doom for national Circuit on Saturday. started from the pit lane due ished ninth in the first race Veteran driver Saadon al to some technical issues, both but couldn’t start in the sec- Kuwari returned to the action finished again first and sec- ond race England, now among and secured the second spot ond, respectively. Khelaifi QTCC third round double winner Abdulla al Khelaifi is flanked by After the third round, ahead of Ibrahim al Abdul- was more consistent and beat second-placed Saadon al Kuwari (left) and third-placed Ibrahim Khelaifi is on the top of the ghani in the first race. Kuwari, who managed the al Abdulghani on the podium in Losail on Saturday. championship table with 96 Windies elite bowlers Khelaifi, at the wheel of quickest lap of the race again, points. Hamad al Sulaiti oc- Honda S2000, started again by 10.379 seconds. finally I was able to finish in top three performers for cupies the second spot with REUTERS “I started to pick up some on pole position in the first Khelaifi was delighted front,” he said. first time this season, com- 52 points, while Ghanim al BRIDGETOWN (BARBADOS) wickets and it went from there,” race and had an engrossing with his performance this “In the second race, mented, “I’m very happy to Maadheed is in third with a said Barbados-born Chase, 26. battle with Kuwari (Toyota weekend. “I’d a lot of fun in Saadon had a technical issue be on the podium again. In tally of 47 points. ROSTON Chase, who engi- “I just tried to be consistent GT86) before clinching the the first race. Some drivers and started from the pit so I the first race, I led the race Trophies were present- neered West Indies’ demoli- and land it my areas, despite victory with a gap of 01.004 are very close to me in terms didn’t have to push the car from the second lap until the ed by Salem al Mohannadi tion of England in the first what the batsmen were doing, seconds. Kuwari produced of the performance and you too much in the beginning. sixth lap when I did a mis- (QMMF Board Member), Mo- Test match on Saturday, start- put some revs on the ball and the fastest lap of the race – can’t relax. So I pushed the However, in the fourth lap, take. Abdulla passed me and hamad al Kubaisi, (QMMF ed his second-innings bowl- vary my pace a bit.” 2:23.364 - in the third round car very hard and happy that I saw him behind me in the I couldn’t catch him as tyres Board Member) and Abdul- ing spell to give the team’s He fittingly delivered the of the track and was able to the car survived until the end rear mirror so I pressed the were very hot.” razak al Kuwari (QMMF Gen- pace quartet a breather as final blow by having Sam Cur- make the gap so close. of the race. I had a tough bat- accelerator hard to maintain “In the second race, I had eral Secretary). The fourth much as anything. ran stumped for 17, sealing a The third place was taken tle with Saadon, and at the the gap till crossing he finish to start from the pit lane and round of Qatar Touring Car A few hours later he had 381-run win for the hosts. by Ibrahim al Abdulghani end, we switched positions line,” Khelaifi added. it was very hard to pass every- Championship will be held on joined an elite list of West Only Jack Noreiga - 9-95 v (Honda S2000), who was more than three times but Kuwari, back among the body. It took me almost four February 8 and 9. Indies’ bowlers with eight India at Port of Spain in 1971 – wickets or more. has taken more than eight wick- Chase did not extract a ets in an innings for West Indies. great deal of turn from the Chase joined a list with Kensington Oval pitch in Bar- eight wickets that also com- Rashid, Mohsin & Abdulla champions in Khor Al Udaid Endurance Cup bados, but flighted the ball prises Colin Croft, Lance beautifully and, aided by some Gibbs, Curtley Ambrose, poor England batting, emerged Devendra Bishoo, Shannon with the figures of eight for 60. Gabriel, Michael Holding and “Looking at the wicket, I Alf Valentine. always thought I would come into play in the second in- SCOREBOARD nings,” he told reporters. With the home team hav- WEST INDIES (1ST INNINGS): ...... 289 ing opted for a line-up lacking ENGLAND (1ST INNINGS): ...... 77 WEST INDIES (2ND INNINGS): ...... 415-6 DECL a specialist spinner, captain ENGLAND (2ND INNINGS, OVERNIGHT 56-0): Jason Holder had few options R. Burns b Chase ...... 84 other than to use Chase, a bat- K. Jennings c Holder b Joseph ...... 14 ting all-rounder who entered J. Bairstow c Hope b Gabriel ...... 30 J. Root c Bravo b Chase ...... 22 the match with a test bowling B. Stokes lbw b Chase ...... 34 average of more than 40. J. Buttler c Campbell b Chase ...... 26 “The quicks set it up for M. Ali c Holder b Chase ...... 0 us in the first innings and B. Foakes c Hetmyer b Chase ...... 5 S. Curran st Hope b Chase ...... 17 (spin bowling coach Mushtaq A. Rashid c Brathwaite b Chase ...... 1 Ahmed) told me I’m going to J. Anderson not out ...... 4 have to bowl 25 overs in the Extras (b4, nb2, w3) ...... 9 second innings, to get my mind Total (80.4 overs, all out) ...... 246 Fall of wickets: 1-85 (Jennings), 2-134 (Burns), ready for it, so I was always 3-143 (Bairstow), 4-167 (Root), 5-215 (Stokes), prepared to do some work, to 6-217 (Ali), 7-218 (Buttler), 8-228 (Foakes), 9-234 Rashid Hamad al Marri rode superbly on AR Veinte and won the 100km title at the Khor Al Udaid Endurance Cup, organised by the Qatar Endurance Committee at the Sealine give the pacers a rest,” he said. (Rashid), 10-246 (Curran) Beach course on Saturday. Marri clocked 4:05.47 and beat Deva Ram (Dakar De Fontnoire) by more than 12 minutes. Mohammed Juma (Pulgarcito FC) was third. Mohsin al Chase’s first wicket was per- Bowling: K. Roach 14-3-58-0, S. Gabriel 16.5-2-55- Kubaisi (Pacha De Barancon) emerged the winner in the 80 km class, beating Saud al Shammari (IA Aladdin) by three seconds in an exciting finish. The 40km title was bagged 1 (1nb, 1w), J. Holder 12-6-24-0 (1nb), R. Chase haps his best and most impor- 21.4-2-60-8 (1w), A. Joseph 12-4-35-1, J. Campbell by Abdulla al Hajri. Riding Wadeea, he defeated Abdulla Rashid al Mansoori (Nimr Dukhan). The QEC also hosted a 20 km race for young riders. A large number of boys and girls tant, clean bowling Rory Burns 4.1-0-10-0 (1w). contested. The winners were honoured in presence of Amer Hamidi, Director of the QEC, members and officials of the committee. for 84. 20 Monday, January 28, 2019 The Last Word Amir begins Asia tour from S Korea

The Amir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani on Sunday arrived in Seoul on a two-day official visit to the Republic ofKorea. The Amir was welcomed at Seoul Air Base by Oceans Fisheries Minister of Korea Kim Young-choon, Qatar’s Ambassador to Korea HE Moham- med Abdullah al Duhaimi and Korea’s Ambassador to Qatar HE Kim Chang-mo, in addition to a lineup of heads of Arab diplomatic missions accredited to Korea and members of the Qatari Embassy in Seoul. The tour will see the signing of a number of agreements and memoran- da of understanding between the two countries. (QNA) Arnold & Son unveils new HM Perpetual Moon ‘Qatar has always TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK standing. To further underscore supported Lebanon’ DOHA that, the entire rhodium treated nickel-silver movement fea- RAFIQ Shalala, media adviser the leaderships and peoples of DEMONSTRATING its rich tures hand finishing indicative to Lebanese President General the two countries,” Shalala said. British history and quality Swiss of the finest Haute Horlogerie Michel Aoun, said the participa- In this regard, he praised craftsmanship, Arnold & Son timepieces, including manu- tion of the Amir His Highness Qatar’s purchase of Lebanese has unveiled a new version of ally chamfered bridges with Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al government bonds worth $500 the HM Perpetual Moon with a The HM Perpetual Moon polished edges, Côtes de Ge- Thani in the Arab Economic and million, stressing that it was an blue Aventurine stone dial. timepieces in the Royal nève rayonnantes and fine cir- Social Development Summit important step in support of the The HM Perpetual Moon is Collection demonstrate the cular graining, circular grained in Beirut last Sunday gave the Lebanese economy. a testament to Arnold & Son’s brand’s prowess in traditional wheels and blued screws with summit an additional impetus The Lebanese official re- tradition of watches with astro- watchmaking and classical polished and chamfered edges. in the light of the conditions in ferred to the Father Amir HH nomical indications. The time- decorative arts. The timepiece naturally fea- which it was held. Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al pieces in the Royal Collection tures an anti-reflective sapphire In a statement to Qatar News Thani’s visit to Beirut in 2006, demonstrate the brand’s prow- fering a uniquely precise, big and runs from 10 to 2 o’clock on the cise, it is also an intriguing com- crystal and case back to view the Agency (QNA), Shalala said Qa- after the Israeli aggression ess in traditional watchmaking three-dimensional moonphase. dial, reveals one of the largest plication in that it is not simply a meticulous details. tar, through the Amir’s personal on Lebanon, when Qatar an- and classical decorative arts. The calibre is also equipped with moons in the market with a dia- module added to the movement, The HM Perpetual Moon participation in the summit and nounced the reconstruction of The sophisticated HM Per- a double barrel to yield 90 hours metre of 11.2 mm for the moon but, in fact, is fully integrated Aventurine measures 42 mm in its contribution to supporting towns in southern Lebanon. He petual Moon Aventurine is a su- of power reserve. alone. into the calibre. diametre in its classically elegant the Lebanese economy, aimed noted that the visit of the Father perb example of Arnold & Son’s The HM Perpetual Moon Additionally, this large The watch also has a unique Red Gold (5N) case. Viewed from at emphasising to the world that Amir broke the Israeli siege, and technical and artistic excellence. Aventurine offers one of the moon is one of the most visu- easy-to-set feature thanks to the the side, the housing is stepped Lebanon is not abandoned and was welcomed officially and From the inside out, this most accurate moon phases in ally stunning recreations of ingenious addition of a second and tapers from top to bottom, has a special place in the hearts popularly for being the first visit new timepiece with rich blue the market, with only one day’s the moon because it is a three- moon indication installed at the the widest section accommodat- of the Gulf people in general and of an Arab leader to the border guilloché moon disc and en- deviation every 122 years at dimensional sculptured moon back of the movement. This sec- ing the extra-large glass with the Qataris in particular. villages. The Lebanese then graved moon surprises and de- which point a single push on the that was first hand-engraved ond moon display, visible via a lower part narrowing to fit snug- “Qatar has a long record of launched the famous phrase lights. It houses the exclusive corrector will keep it in sync for and then duplicated in a 18k transparent case back, features ly on the wrist. Each is finished showing solidarity with Leba- ‘Thank you Qatar’. Arnold & Son mechanical hand- another 122 years. red gold plate for the series. The a graduated dial and a pointer with an exquisite hand-stitched non. The relations between the The official also praised the wound movement, the calibre The exceptional perpetual sculptured moon is then insert- hand that allows a more exact alligator strap. two countries are deep-rooted way the Lebanese community A&S1512. moonphase indication of this ed into the guilloché disc. setting. In all, the HM Perpetual and are constantly developing. in Qatar is treated, noting that The calibre was especially watch is a marvel in many ways. From the technical side, in The multiple technologi- Moon Aventurine is a beguiling The relations are characterised there are about 40,000 Leba- developed for the moonphase From the aesthetic side, the 29 addition to the HM Perpetual cal advancements in the calibre work of technical mastery and by brotherhood and reflect the nese in Qatar who feel they are watches with the objective of of- mm moonphase disc, which Moon Aventurine being so pre- make this timepiece truly out- fine art. close friendship bonds between in their second home. (QNA)

OVER 1,300 STUDENTS VISIT DOHA METRO

Qatar Rail welcomed 1,375 students from 41 schools in 2018, enabling them to have a closer look at the Doha Metro Project.