Ocampos takes Sevilla through to Europa League semis page 14 thursday, August 13, 2020 PSG make Champions League semis with late Leipzig’s players attend a training session at the Jose Alvalade stadium in Lisbon on Wednesday on the eve of the UEFA Champions League quarter-final match against Atletico Madrid.(AFP) 2-1 win over Atalanta Confident Leipzig ready for Atletico despite Werner departure

DPA in 2009 and are in the knock- Lisbon out stages of the Champions League for the first time. RB Leipzig believe that the After beating Tottenham straight knock-out format of in the last 16, they are eager this year’s Champions League to extend their run under finals could suit them more ambitious head coach Julian than their quarter-final op- Nagelsmann. ponents Atletico Madrid, and Despite being just 26, said they will be able to ad- Poulsen has spent seven years equately replace departed for- at Leipzig and has come up with ward Timo Werner. them from Germany’s third di- Leipzig are debutants in the vision to Europe’s top table. knock-out stages of the elite The Denmark international event while Atletico are three- has scored 63 goals and created time finalists. 51 more in 250 appearances for Owing to the coronavirus the club from Germany’s east. the Champions League is com- He has the distinction of pleted as a mini-tournament in being the first Leipzig player to Lisbon, with the quarters and score a Bundesliga hat-trick, semis played in one leg instead doing so against Hertha Berlin of two matches. in March 2019. “Atletico have more expe- Now, after weeks of uncer- rience but that means more in tainty due to the coronavirus two legs than in one. Their ex- pandemic between February’s perience won’t mean as much last-16 win and the quarter- as it normally does,” coach Ju- final, Poulsen said the Germans Paris Saint-Germain’s Brazilian defender (left) and Kylian Mbappe celebrate after Marquinhos scored the opening goal during the UEFA Champions League quarter-final lian Nagelsmann told a virtual are ready to face an experienced match against Atalanta at the Luz Stadium in Lisbon, Portugal, on Wednesday. (AFP) news conference on the eve of Atletico side. Thursday’s match. DPA v Barcelona and Manchester who at first had appeared to “We will play with courage Berlin City v Olympique Lyon. have lost the ball. and play our game,” he added. Mbappe returned onto the Neymar tried to level almost “It will be a big challenge for Paris Saint-Germain struck PSG bench from an ankle in- instantly but after nutmegging which we are however pre- twice late in the game to jury sustained in the French cup Pasalic shot inches left from pared. I am convinced that we beat brave Atalanta 2-1 on final almost three weeks ago just outside the penalty area, will play a very good match.” Wednesday in Lisbon for their while midfielder Marco Verratti and Sportiello saved a free-kick Nagelsmann would not reveal first place in the Champions was out injured and Angel di from the Brazilian star. who would take the place of the League semi-finals in 25 years. Maria suspended. Mauro Icardi then just Germany forward Werner who Marquinhos cancelled out Atalanta were without Jo- missed Pablo Sarabia’s low was Leipzig’s top scorer but Atalanta’s first-half lead from sip Ilicic, who scored five of the cross from the left and Neymar has already left for his new club Mario Pasalic in the 90th min- eight goals in the last 16 against sunk to the ground in disbelief Chelsea. ute and Eric Maxim Choupo- Valencia, for personal reasons, after shooting wide again short- “It is important to note Moting grabbed the winner and goalkeeper Pierluigi Gol- ly before half-time after chasing that we won’t be playing with deep into stoppage time be- lini was out with a knee injury. down a terrible backpass from one man less and we can re- hind closed doors at the Esta- But their high-powered attack Hatebour. place him with a good player,” dio da Luz. threatened right from the outset Neymar tried everything to Nagelsmann said. It was cruel exit for the deb- after a minute’s silence was ob- lift his team after the restart but “We had players who utants Atalanta who had im- served before kick-off for Cov- PSG were lucky not to be two played less when Timo was pressed this season in Italy and id-19 victims around the world. down in the 57th when Berat there. We have the option to Europe and were also playing Captain Papu Gomez had a Djimsiti volleyed into the side- replace him and have the nec- for their home city of Bergamo, low shot stopped by Keylor Na- netting at the far left post. essary attacking power. They Atletico Madrid’s Argentinian one of the Italian cities hit hard- vas who was also on his guard Mbappe finally came on on have the chance to step up and coach Diego Simeone directs est by the coronavirus pandem- against a tight-angle header the hour and showed his speed score goals.” during a training session at the ic. Ambitious PSG were far from from after 11 on the left in the 74th with Yussuf Poulsen or Patrik Jose Alvalade stadium in Lisbon glorious, with Neymar missing minutes. Sportiello however on his guard Schick appear the most likely on Wednesday. (AFP) a host of chances, and Kylian However, PSG should have against his tight-angle effort. options and Nagelsmann said Mbappe only returning for the Paris Saint-Germain’s Cameroon forward Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting scored in-between, with Ney- Navas had to leave injured that full-back Marcel Halsten- final half hour from injury. But celebrates with Brazilian forward Neymar after scoring the second goal mar running alone towards in the 79th but the drama then berg could also return from Title aspirations Neymar set up the equaliser against Atalanta at the Luz Stadium in Lisbon on Wednesday. (AFP) goalkeeper unfolded late on, with Marquin- back problems. “We’re all really looking and Mbappe their winner. but then astonishingly fluffing hos levelling off Neymar’s cross Goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi forward to the game,” said PSG will now aim for their the Lisbon mini-tournament league was stopped in March his shot wide right. from the left, and not even extra meanwhile spoke of “a spe- the Dane. first place in the elite event final having completed the and then abandoned because of Atalanta took the lead in the time needed because Choupo- cial game” for the Leipzig club “We’ve worked hard for it on Tuesday against Atletico Ma- season less than zwo weeks ago, the coronavirus. 27th from Pasalic’s curling ef- Moting then sticking out his which was only founded in and we’re happy that we can drid or RB Leipzig. PSG were playing only their The other one-legged quar- fort into the top left corner - off foot to convert Mbappe’s cross 2009 and reached the Bundes- finish it. While Atalanta came into third game since the French ter-finals are Bayern Munich a toe-poke from Duvan Zapata against exhausted Atalanta. liga in 2016. “There were times when “Many of us have been here that wasn’t certain, so it’s a for four or five years and have great feeling to be in Lisbon. taken this path. It is an op- “Once you’re there, you portunity to present ourselves must have the determination Stars aligning for Atletico Madrid with CL glory not so far away on the international stage. We to go all the way to the final and have confidence and hope to the title.” AFP Certainly nobody antici- finished second. advance,” he said. Under Diego Simeone, Madrid pated football shutting down “We did well and we know Nagelsmann did not want Atletico are hunting their first completely the following week, we’re on a really good streak to speculate on a possible all- Champions League title after Atletico Madrid’s triumph as nervousness turned to in- but the Champions League is German final against Bayern losing the 2014 and 2016 finals over Liverpool in March was dignation about Atletico fans a different competition,” said Munich but noted that a team to arch-rivals Real Madrid. a throwback to a more cele- travelling to Anfield, before Diego Costa last week. can go far with fewer games “Those responsible have brated past under Diego Sime- matches behind closed foors Atletico face Leipzig in Lis- than in the past - and that he is been doing a very good job at one but five months on and became matches postponed bon on Thursday as one of the personally prepared to stay un- Atletico for many years,” said the Champions League offers indefinitely. form teams still standing, in til August 23. Poulsen. them a very real opportunity in And yet when football re- a tournament that has gifted “I have enough clothes with “Of course Atletico is the the present. turned in June, Atletico were them the significantly kinder me to change them daily until favourite, we are more the un- Knocking out the holders transformed. They went un- half of the draw. the final,” Nagelsmann said. derdog. We’re in the Champi- at Anfield may prove to be the beaten in the 11 games after If they beat Leipzig, who After scoring 34 times last ons League quarter finals for first glimpse of a new era un- the resumption, to dispel con- laboured to a third-place fin- season, including four in the the first time, they’ve always der Simeone, where the likes cerns they could miss out on ish in the Bundesliga, they will Champions League, Germany been fully involved for the last of Joao Felix, Marcos Llorente, ’s four. face either Atalanta, the tour- striker Werner quit Leipzig to eight, ten years. Jose Gimenez and Jan Oblak They won seven matches nament’s minnows or Paris sign for side “But, of course, we have a push Atletico to challenge for Atletico Madrid’s players attend a training session at the Jose Al- and drew four, one of them Saint-Germain, who have Chelsea in June. chance and we believe we do.” major honours again. valade stadium in Lisbon on the eve of the UEFA Champions League against Barcelona at Camp played two games in almost Despite permission from Under Nagelsmann, RB Or it could be a last hur- quarter-final match against Leipzig on ednesdaW y. (AFP) Nou, which helped Real Ma- half a year. Chelsea, Werner turned down Leipzig play a brand of attacking rah for the Simeone project, drid clinch the title. Meanwhile, in the other the chance to play for Leipzig football and big things are ex- which some believe will never Champions League finals in time would be the start of They scored 20 goals and half, only one of Bayern Mu- in the quarter-finals in order pected from their talented Span- again scale the heights of their 2014 and 2016. something even more surpris- conceded six. If the season nich, Barcelona, Manchester to focus on settling into life in ish attacking midfielder Daniel incredible La Liga title win Either way, few believed ing, namely Simeone lifting the had started when the league City and Lyon can reach the London. Olmo, a product of Barcelona’s in 2014 or their runs to the Llorente’s two goals in extra- cup in May. restarted, Atletico would have final. Leipzig were only founded youth academy. Sports Thursday, August 13, 2020 13 targets win to put pressure on top two as

Tiger Woods, who has won 15 golf majors including five Masters. QSL title fight heats up Ayeni Olusegun Tiger to defend Doha Al Sadd coach Xavi Hernandez Masters title behind has hailed his team’s perfor- mance ahead of their QNB Stars League match against closed doors Sports Club at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Thursday. AFP has been our first and most The Spaniard who re- Washington important priority,” said Fred turned to the team recently af- Ridley, Chairman of Augusta ter completing his quarantine Tiger Woods will have to de- National Golf Club. procedure following a positive fend his Masters title behind “Ultimately, we deter- test for COVID-19 has seen his closed doors after Augusta mined that the potential risks side pull within just five points chiefs admitted on Wednesday of welcoming patrons and of leaders Al Duhail with just that the risks caused by the cor- guests to our grounds in No- two matches left in the QSL. onavirus in allowing thousands vember are simply too signifi- The reigning champions fans to attend “are simply too cant to overcome. beat Al Duhail by a lone goal last significant to overcome”. “Even in the current cir- weekend to put a dent on the cumstances, staging the Mas- leaders’ championship hopes. ters without patrons is deeply “I’m pleased to beat Al Tiger Woods won his disappointing.” Duhail. I think, in the last six fifth Masters and 15th Woods won his fifth Mas- games against them, we won ters and 15th career major four; we drew one and lost just Al Sadd players during a training session on Wednesday ahead of their QNB Stars League match. career major – after a – after a gap off 11 years – at once. It means we can beat all gap off 11 years – at Augusta in 2019. the teams in this country. It is Today’s Matches Augusta in 2019. Up to Up to around 40,000 fans a big win. It’s big also for the around 40,000 fans usually attend the tournament future; we may play them in Al Sailiya vs Al Arabi (at Al Janoub Stadium) 4pm in Georgia each year. the Champions League next Al Ahli vs Al Wakrah (at Al Janoub Stadium) 7.30pm usually attend the tour- The decision by Augusta season. So I’m delighted. It’s nament in Georgia each means that all three remain- not a normal win, it’s a huge Qatar SC vs Al Sadd (at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium) year. The Masters had ing majors on the 2020 win,” Xavi said. 7.30pm schedule will have been However, against Qa- already been pushed played without fans. tar SC, a win for The Wolves back from its traditional The PGA Championship would move them within two against Al Sadd. game. We have to play a perfect April slot due to the was behind closed doors in points of Al Duhail and just “It will be a challenging 90 minutes against Al Sadd, Al pandemic and will now San Francisco last week after one behind second-placed Al game for us. Al Sadd have the Duhail, or Al Rayyan. This kind being postponed from May. Rayyan. But Xavi, whose side momentum after beating Al of game you cannot make mis- take place from September’s US Open at lost earlier this season 3-0 to Duhail last weekend. They will takes, or you won’t collect any November 12-15 Winged Foot in New York, QSC, said his team needs to make our lives hard; they have point,” Wesner said. pushed back from June, will be at their best to secure the Al Sadd coach Xavi Hernandez. great players and recently On Thursday, both Al Sailiya also bar spectators. maximum points. added Tabata. Haydos is back and Al Arabi will hope to snap The Masters had already The year’s other major, the “It will be a tough game, sion, I’m sure they will be ag- to beat Qatar and show our from injury, and they are one their miserable run of form been pushed back from its tra- British Open, which was set because we lost 3-0 in the gressive. They are a very well level. We are in a good period, of the best teams in Qatar. We when they lock horns at the Al ditional April slot due to the for Royal St George’s in July, first game against them. It’s organised team with Wesam and we are confident after our have to prepare well for this Janoub Stadium, both teams pandemic and will now take was cancelled altogether. a crucial game for us because as a coach. last three games.” challenge. are yet to pick up maximum place from November 12-15. This year’s Ryder Cup we want to put pressure on Al “They are tough, and we Meanwhile, Qatar SC “When you play with the points since the restart. On the “As we have considered showdown between Europe Rayyan and Al Duhail and we know their capability. But of goalkeeper coach Wesner said top four teams, your concentra- hand, Al Ahli have a five-game the issues facing us, the health and the United States has also need these three points. It will course, there is always a chance his team’s target is staying in tion is a little higher. We have winless run to end when they and safety of everyone associ- been postponed to 2021 due to be challenging as Qatar SC can for revenge in football, and we the league, but admitted that to analyse all the scenarios face Al Wakrah, who have been ated with the Masters always the coronavirus. go down to the second divi- want to take revenge. We want The Kings face a tough task but we know it will be a tough inconsistent all season.

Barca player tests +ve Bayern praise Messi ahead of CL for coronavirus, no duel where Barca could face exit impact on Lisbon DPA for Covid-19,” Barcelona said DPA Barcelona in a statement on Wednesday. Munich/Hanover “The player has no symptoms, Barcelona have confirmed is in good health and has been Bayern Munich chairman that an unnamed player has quarantined at his home.” Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has tested positive for the novel Barca play Bayern Munich on expressed his big admira- coronavirus ahead of pre-sea- Friday in a one-legged quar- tion for Barcelona star Lionel son training, but it will not af- ter-final, with the rest of the Messi ahead of their Champi- fect their preparations for the tournament in Lisbon follow- ons League duel, which could Champions League quarter- ing the same procedure be- however condemn the Cata- final against Bayern Munich. cause of the coronavirus. lans to a season without titles. The Catalans said the play- Spanish football has been The sides meet in a one- er is isolating at home and is hit with a raft of positive cases legged quarter-finalon Friday. asymptomatic, and has not recently. Atletico Madrid flew “I have a lot of respect for come into contact with any play- a day late for their Champions this player. He has something er due to travel to Lisbon for the League quarter-final with RB that possibly no one else on Champions League last eight. Leipzig in Lisbon on Thursday this planet has. He can decide “Following tests conducted after two players tested posi- a game on his own,” Rum- on Tuesday afternoon on the tive. Angel Correa and Sime menigge told reporters. group of nine players due to Vrsaljko are in quarantine at “He’s a player that you begin pre-season today, one home and tests on the rest of have to watch closely and from of them has tested positive the squad were negative. whom you also have to take some of the fun out of the game. “He’s a player who wants to have fun with football. If World 200m champion Lyles admits you take a little of that fun long-term psychological problems away from him by trying to take him out of the game tac- AFP “But it probably just got tically, then there is a good Paris the worst in April, it’s proba- chance” for Bayern, he said. bly the hardest I have ever had Bayern and Barca have World champion sprint- to deal with. I think it’s a kind each won the elite event five er Noah Lyles revealed on of perfect storm, dealing with times and are the only ex- Wednesday that he has had the COVID, having the Olym- champions in the eight-team psychological problems since pic Games postponed, so you field for the Lisbon mini-tour- he was eight years old, issues are like ‘OK, where I am going nament, which was to open that worsened with the corona- to put my attention?’. later Wednesday and runs un- virus pandemic, the postpone- “The Black Lives move- til August 23. ment of the Olympics and the ment, that really put the final Bayern midfielder Leon Black Lives Matter movement. nail on the coffin.” Goretzka said the only way to American Lyles, who won The American sprint star stop Messi is “collectively.” gold in the 200 metres and has often shown a bubbly, “Everyone knows what a gifted the 4x100m relay in Doha cheerful personality in front of footballer he is, he is capable Barcelona’s Argentine forward Lionel Messi is congratulated by Napoli’s Italian forward Matteo Politano at the end of the UEFA Champions last year and was hotly tipped the cameras to go with his blis- of finding many solutions also League Round of 16 second leg match at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on Saturday. (AFP) for the success at the Tokyo tering performances, but ad- in tight situations. We will Games, announced earlier this mits that he has experienced have to fight back as a team,” Madrid and also didn’t make than ever before, as shown in there is also unrest at the top of his full potential at Barca. month that he was on anti-de- dark moments. Goretzka said. the Spanish Cup final. the 3-1 last-16 win over Napoli the club around the upcoming That leaves only Messi, pressants. “I was just like ‘I just can’t “Whether you can actually “Everything has been bad where he scored one goal and presidential elections. who has been at the centre of “I probably deal with it since do this anymore’. take away his fun in the game, since January,” Messi said, set up another. Expensive signings over transfer gossip that he could I was eight years old, all differ- “My mother was just like ‘it’s I don’t know.” Messi has not adding that Barca had been Neither Ernesto Valverde recent years such as Ousmane leave for Inter Milan next year. ent forms at different times of time to put you on medication’, much fun this season as Barca “an inconsistent, bad team.” and his successor Quique Setien Dembele and Philippe Coutin- He now wants to win the event my life,” the 23-year-old said and I said yes because every- had to settle for second in the Barca appear more depend- have been accepted as a leading ho have struggled, and Antoine he has scored 115 goals in for ahead of the Diamond League thing I am doing, that I used to league behind arch rivals Real ent on the now 33-year-old coach by the club’s stars, and Griezmann is also yet to show the fifth time. meeting in Monaco on Friday. do, is not working anymore.” 14 Thursday, August 13, 2020 Sports CONCACAF preliminary draw for FIFA World Cup 2022 on Aug 19

Nicaragua, Dominican Republic six group winners will face off in a 35 member associations in North & Pot 3: Grenada, Barbados, Guy- home-and-away elimination format ana, St Vincent and the Grenadines, in three predetermined pairings. Central America and the Caribbean to Bermuda, Belize The winners of each tie will proceed Pot 4: St Lucia, Puerto Rico, to the final round. learn qualification pathway towards Cuba, Montserrat, Dominica, Cay- The final round will see the three man Islands winners from the second round join FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Pot 5: Bahamas, Aruba, Turks the five highest-ranked CONCACAF and Caicos Islands, US Virgin Is- teams according to the FIFA/Coca- Fifa FIFA in Zurich. lands, British Virgin Islands, An- Cola World Ranking as of 16 July Zurich With 35 member associations guilla 2020, who will play each other in a from across North, Central Amer- The six highest-ranked teams in home-and-away round-robin format. The qualification pathway for the ica and the Caribbean set to be in- the first round – El Salvador, Can- The pots for the final-round FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ in volved, the preliminary draw is a ada, Curaçao, Panama, Haiti, and draw are as follows: North, Central America and the significant moment that will deter- locate the 30 lowest-ranked CON- The pots for the first-round draw Trinidad and Tobago – will be pre- Pot A: Mexico, USA, Costa Rica, Caribbean will take shape later this mine the tournament pathway for CACAF teams to six groups. This are as follows: seeded into groups A to F respec- Jamaica, Honduras, winner of A vs month following FIFA’s confirma- the first and final rounds under the will be followed by the draw for the Pot 1: El Salvador, Canada, tively. The first round will be played F, winner of B vs E, winner of C vs D tion this week that the CONCACAF new qualification format. final round, which will indicate the Curaçao, Panama, Haiti, Trinidad in a single round-robin format, Pot B: teams 1-8 preliminary draw will be held on Based on the FIFA/Coca-Cola position of each team within the fi- and Tobago meaning each team will play four Fans will be able to follow the draw Wednesday, 19 August at 19:00 CET World Ranking as of 16 July 2020, nal qualification stage, which will Pot 2: Antigua and Barbuda, Gua- matches: two home and two away. on FIFA.com, except territories where (8pm Doha Time) at the Home of the draw for the first round will al- also be contested in a group format. temala, St Kitts and Nevis, Suriname, During the second round, the the draw is broadcast live on TV.

FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 & AFC Asian Cup China 2023 Sevilla down Wolves, Shakhtar qualifiers rescheduled to 2021 AFC be rescheduled to 2021. Kuala Lumpur With the aim of protect- shunt Basel to make Europa SF ing the health and safety of In light of the current COV- all participants, FIFA and the ID-19 situation in many coun- AFC will continue to work to- AFP tries, FIFA and the Asian Con- gether to closely monitor the Paris federation (AFC) have jointly situation in the region and to decided that the upcoming identify new dates for the re- Sevilla qualified for the qualifying matches for the spective qualifying matches. semi-finals of the Europa FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Further details on the new League on Tuesday after Lucas and AFC Asian Cup China dates for the next round of Ocampos’ late header broke 2023, originally scheduled to qualifying matches for the Wolverhampton Wanderers’ take place during the interna- FIFA World Cup 2022 and hearts, while Shakhtar Donetsk tional match windows in Octo- Asian Cup 2023 will be an- thumped Basel 4-1 to join the ber and November 2020, will nounced in due course. Spaniards in the last four. Five-time competition win- ners Sevilla face Manchester United in Cologne on Sunday thanks to a brilliant header NBA from Argentine Ocampos with less than two minutes left on the clock which gave them a de- Lillard scores 61 as Blazers served 1-0 win, while Shakhtar take on Inter Milan on Monday stride towards playoffs in another intriguing tie. Sevilla dominated their AFP the final round of seeding English opponents over the Orlando games on Thursday, with Port- course of the match, as a tired- land, Memphis, the Phoenix looking Wolves’ dreams of Damian Lillard exploded for Suns and San Antonio Spurs European glory ended with a 61 points on Tuesday as the still mathematically in with a whimper. Portland Trail Blazers roared chance of claiming eighth or “I am very proud of my towards a place in the NBA ninth place. players. We needed to have playoffs with a thrilling 134-131 Portland, however, remain lots of patience against a win over the Dallas Mavericks. in the driving seat. A win on very good team,” said Sevilla Lillard – who had scored Thursday against the Brook- coach , whose 51 points in a victory against lyn Nets will assure them of a team are now unbeaten in 19 the Philadelphia 76ers on Sun- place in the play-in game. matches in all competitions, to day – once again led from the Lillard’s 61-point effort BT Sport. The Wolverhampton wall jumps for a free kick during the UEFA Europa League quarter-final against Sevilla at the MSV Arena in Duisburg, front for Portland, who are made him only the second “We have ambition we Germany, late on Tuesday. (AFP) now within touching distance player in NBA history to score work very hard... but we are of a postseason berth. 60 points or more in three going to play against Man- about ahead of their semi-final The Blazers talisman games during a single season, chester United... the biggest Results clash on Monday. nailed a clutch three-pointer putting him alongside Wilt team in world football.” Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR) 4 (Moraes 2, Taison 22, Alan “I’m feeling amazing be- in the closing stages to level Chamberlain. Premier League outfit cause we have worked hard the score at 130-130 and then “I’m happy to be in that Wolves thought they were set Patrick 75-pen, Dodo 88) Basel (SUI) 1 (Van and we trust we can reach the provided the assist that saw kind of company, and I’m to make the perfect start in the Wolfswinkel 90+2) final,” said goalscorer Junior Portland take a 132-130 lead happy that two of those three 11th minute when Adam Traore Moraes. with just under a minute re- (60-point games) came in a set off on a sensational surge Wolverhampton Wanderers (ENG) 0 Sevilla (ESP) 1 “If you want to test yourself, maining. winning effort,” Lillard said. towards goal from his own half (Ocampos 88) you have to play against teams The win vaulted Portland “Tonight couldn’t have and was chopped down in the at this high level.” above the Memphis Grizzlies been better timing for that area by Diego Carlos. The Ukrainian side got off into the eighth and final play- type of game. It’s an honor However Raul Jimenez, target of the match as chances les Kounde met ’s beauti- Sevilla’s Argentinian midfielder to a flyer thanks to Brazil-born off spot in the Western Confer- to be in company with Wilt. who had scored all of his became hard to come by. fully flighted cross in the 66th Lucas Ocampos celebrates Moraes, who headed home ence standings with 34 wins Hopefully it can continue.” previous eight penalties for Sevilla though began to minute, but the Frenchman scoring against Wolverhampton Marlos’ corner with less than and 39 defeats. Lillard’s latest masterclass Wolves, sent a weak spot-kick take a stranglehold on the play had to stretch for the ball and Wanderers. (AFP) two minutes on the clock, and The eighth- and ninth- was complemented with 26 towards , who and force Wolves back into sent it looping over the bar. they never looked back from placed teams in the West will points from veteran Carmelo could hardly believe his luck as their own half. Eleven minutes later Rui a fizzing cross that Lucas Ocam- that point on. advance to an elimination Anthony, while Zach Col- he batted the Mexican’s tame However they struggled to Patrico did well to tip over pos did brilliantly to guide into Taison put Shakhtar two game this weekend to deter- lins and Gary Trent Jr had 11 shot aside. carve out many clear-cut op- Ever Banega’s dipping free- the bottom corner and send his ahead 20 minutes later when mine who claims the final points each. There were claims that portunities, with Wolves’ de- kick as Wolves began to rock, team into the semis. his deflected shot flashed past postseason berth from the For the Mavericks, Bounou had left his line while fence managing to snuff out but the goalkeeper could do In Gelsenkirchen Shakhtar Basel’s bamboozled goalkeep- conference. Kristaps Porzingis led the Sevilla players seemed to en- their opponents when they did nothing to stop Sevilla’s win- booked their spot in the last er Dorde Nikolic. Alan Patrick Tuesday’s combination of scoring with 36 points, while ter the area before the penalty manage to break free. ner with two minutes left. four with a commanding win put the result beyond doubt results elsewhere left every- Luka Doncic added 25 with was taken, but in any case that The first good chanceof Banega was again at the over Basel that will give In- from the penalty spot with 14 thing to play for heading into 10 assists and eight rebounds. was to be Wolves’ last shot on the second half came when Ju- heart of the action, whipping in ter Milan something to think minutes left. beIN SPORTS kicks off new football seasons SC endorse Qatar with global media campaign in 43 markets Charity’s humanitarian efforts Tribune News Network the start of a new season. Doha Jonathan Whitehead, Head Tribune News Network tar Charity worldwide, noting of Sports for beIN MENA, Doha the link between charity works beIN SPORTS, the glob- said: “Every fan remembers and sports. He also indicated al sports broadcaster, has the first time that they fell in Umm Salal Sports Club play- that this initiative is the begin- launched a major international love with football: the first ers wore the jackets of Qatar ning of cooperation between media campaign – called “Love time that they punched in the Charity during going down to the club and Qatar Charity, It Like The First Time” – for air while celebrating a goal, the Al Janoub Stadium, before hoping for further collabora- fans to celebrate new football experienced sheer joy at their facing the Al Ahli Club team tions in the future. seasons across the world. team lifting a trophy, or even in the 20th round of the QNB Since the beginning of the Love It Like The First Time screamed at the television af- Stars League held last week. coronavirus, Qatar Charity has is the first global campaign ter a bad red card decision. Af- The initiative was to en- distributed health and aware- beIN has launched across its ter the devastating COVID-19 dorse Qatar Charity’s con- ness bags, food baskets and entire international network pandemic and strange finish tinuous efforts in fighting the responsibility and in apprecia- other items to the workers and of 43 countries and 5 conti- to last season, over the next battle against the coronavirus tion of the great efforts made health awareness volunteers, in nents, including the Middle screens on Friday 21 August with the world’s biggest game. few weeks we’ll be delighted to (COVID-19) pandemic. by Qatar Charity to curb the cooperation with the concerned East & North Africa (MENA), after being cancelled nearly 6 Promotional content will see the return of premium Eu- Qatar Charity thanked outbreak of the coronavirus authorities in the country. Asia-Pacific, France, Turkey months earlier, and new sea- be published across beIN’s ropean football exclusively to the management of the Umm within and outside the State of Besides, Qatar Charity has and North America. sons launching for the first linear and digital platforms so beIN SPORTS for a brand new Salal Club for showing this Qatar,” said Abdullah Mazhan provided emergency aid to The unifying and positive time ever in September for the that fans can reminisce about season, including the Premier generous gesture that appreci- Al Shammari, the media offi- many countries affected by the campaign celebrates a fresh Premier League (12 Septem- their first footballing memory, League, LaLiga, and ates the humanitarian efforts cial for Umm Salal Club. coronavirus. It has also signed start for football across the ber), LaLiga (12 September) as they prepare to fall in love Serie A. This is a fresh start and made by Qatar Charity, and On his part, Captain Ali several cooperation agree- globe following the disruption and Serie A (19 September), with the game all over again the beginning of a new era, and its workers and supporters Amin, Sports Director of Umm ments with UN agencies such as to the 2019-20 seasons caused fans will feel the sheer joy of during what will be a momen- for fans it will feel just like the against the pandemic. Salal Sports Club, applauded UNICEF, UNHCR, and OCHA, by COVID-19. football returning just like the tous occasion in the context of first time they ever fell in love “This initiative comes with- the humanitarian, charitable, to maximize the number of ben- As Ligue 1 returns to our first time they ever fell in love a hugely challenging 2020 – with the game all over again.” in the framework of our social and developmental role of Qa- eficiaries hit by the pandemic. Sports Thursday, August 13, 2020 15 11th Longines Qatar Equestrian Hathab Tour at QEF this weekend

Tribune News Network Doha Schedule Thursday (August 13) The 11th and penultimate Vet check 5pm round of showjumping series Arena familiarization 6pm Longines Qatar Equestrian Friday (August 14) Tour Hathab 2019-20 will be Small Tour held at the indoor arena of Qa- tar Equestrian Federation on Table A, One round against the clock Friday (August 14) and Satur- (100/115cm) FEI Art, 238.2.1 from 4pm day (Aug 15). Medium Tour (Individual & Team) The annual domestic com- Table A, One round against the clock with petition which consists of a jump off (120/130cm) FEI Art. 238.2.2 total of 12 legs has now en- from 6.45pm tered the business end and is Saturday (August 15) seeing close contests. Qatar’s Open Class national rider Faleh Suwead Table A, One round against the clock Al Ajami, who clinched the (115/125cm) FEI Art. 238.2.1 from 4pm Doha hosted Qatar’s first Asian Games in 2006. Big Tour title in the previous Big Tour round is now leading the tally with 174 points while the sea- Competition with winning round soned Salman Mohammed Al (130/145cm) FEI Art. 276.2.1 from 6.45pm Olympic Council of Asia Evaluation Emadi, who unfortunately got eliminated during the quali- The Medium Tour is led by Committee to visit countries bidding fication in the 9th round has Mohammed Khalifa Al Baker been pushed to the second having garnered 182 points place having 172 points. Ham- thus far. Ghanim Nasser Al to host Asian Games 2030 ad Nasser Al Qadi is third with Qadi (178), and Mohammed 170 points. Saeed Haidan (176) are second QNA the Asian Games and Olym- Chairman Wei Jizhong, Chair The best seven results out and third respectively. Kuwait pic Games and I am sure the OCA Entourage Committee of the total twelve are taken The Small Tour is hav- members of this OCA Evalu- Ryu Seung Min, Member of into consideration while de- ing intense competition with The President of the Olympic ation Committee will cover Athletes Committee Mikaela ciding the overall national Mohammed Nasser Al Qadi Council of Asia (OCA) Sheikh every aspect of planning, prep- Cojuangco, Director General champions. Qatar’s national rider Faleh Suwead Al Ajami, astride Ulano, who leading the table with 178.5 Ahmad Al Fahad Al Sabah on aration, management and op- OCA Husain Al Musallam, The Hathab series, clinched the Big Tour title in the previous round is leading the tally points and ahead of Khalifa Wednesday announced the erations of the Asian Games. a group of heads of Asian launched in 2017, carries a with 174 points. (Pic: Mohamed Tinakicht) Abdulla Al Khaldi (177.5 pts). composition of the OCA Eval- “The Asian Games has Olympic committees and two total prize of QR1.5mn and Mohammed Al Ghazali occu- uation Committee to visit the grown into the biggest multi- representatives from the OCA is an initiative of HE Sheikh ment of private stables and spread of novel coronavirus pies the third place with 166 two cities bidding to host the sport event in the world and Headquarters. Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, individual horse owners to (COVID-19) pandemic. points so far. 2030 Asian Games: Doha, Qa- we are proud of this success,” The OCA has requested the President, Qatar Olympic grow awareness of horse- The resumption has been In the teams’ competi- tar and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. he added. two cities to submit their bid Committee. manship as part of Qatar’s within the framework of the tion, The Top team lead the Sheikh Ahmad said, “I am At the most recent Asian files by October 4, 2020. Hathab meaning ‘Canter’ history and tradition. plan to gradually lift the re- table with 194 points fol- extremely satisfied with the Games, in Jakarta and Palem- The 19th Asian Games will in Arabic, the annual cham- The 2019-2020 which strictions imposed in line with lowed by ExxonMobil (183), composition of the OCA Eval- bang, Indonesia in 2018, 11,300 be held in Hangzhou, China, pionship aims at improving began in October last year QOC’s plan to continue all and Lusail (182). uation Committee for this very athletes from 45 National from Sept. 10-25, 2022 and the standard of horse riding resumed on August 7 be- sporting activities according The mandatory veterinary important task. We have many Olympic Committees took part the 20th Asian Games will take among Qatari youths while hind closed doors after it was to the precautionary measures checks for participating horses sports leaders throughout Asia in 465 events of 40 sports. place in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, encouraging the involve- halted in March due to the established by Qatar. will be held on Thursday. with a lot of experience from The Committee consists of from Sep. 19 to Oct. 4, 2026. Waqar hopes Pakistan can cash in on Stokes’ absence we had very clear plans and ex- gruelling for fast bowlers but Second Test at ecuted really well.” Waqar was confident fatigue Pakistan’s well-balanced has yet to affect Pakistan’s Southampton pace trio, comprising the ac- quicks this series. curate Mohammad Abbas, “I’m sure these guys are from today towering left-armer Shaheen still capable and have plenty Aspetar honours staff Afridi and teenage speedster of gas left in the tank to tackle AFP Naseem Shah, all impressed in this Test match and after that helping boost healthcare Southampton Manchester. we’ll see how it goes,” he said. The performance of the Pakistan assistant coach 17-year-old Naseem in hitting Uncapped Robinson in workforce against COVID-19 Waqar Younis said on Wednes- speeds of some 90 mph has England squad day he hopes the tourists will been particularly eye-catching Meanwhile, uncapped Sussex QNA of the role that the team here be able to “cash in” on England and Waqar, who also played in- seamer Ollie Robinson was Doha at Aspetar has played in sup- being without Ben Stokes dur- ternational cricket as a teenager, included in England’s 14-man porting the Ministry of Public ing this week’s second Test. said there was more to come. squad for the second Test. Aspetar, the Orthopaedic Health throughout the COV- Star all-rounder Stokes “Naseem is very, very tal- The 26-year-old trained and Sports Medicine Hospi- ID-19 pandemic. is heading to New Zealand, ented and he is still growing, with the squad during the tal, organised a ceremony for “In addition to converting where his father is convalesc- his bones are growing,” he ex- West Indies series and took its staff for their efforts during our inpatient ward in readi- ing following a serious illness plained. “What a talent he is. eight Hampshire wickets dur- the global COVID-19 pandem- ness to receive COVID-19 pa- and will miss both the second “I don’t think he really ing his subsequent appearance ic, every person associated tients and seconding staff to Test, which starts in South- bowled as well as we expected in the Bob Willis Trophy -- the with the organisation rose to support HMC clinical teams, ampton on Thursday, as well in the previous game, but he first-classcompetition that is the occasion, embracing the we have also run many COV- as the series finale, which also can really bowl well and take replacing the County Champi- mission promise as a health ID-19 education and aware- takes place at Hampshire’s Former paceman and now Pakistan assistant coach Waqar Younis (left). the opposition on at times. He onship in a season cut short by delivery system. ness campaigns for both gen- headquarters ground. is young, he is inexperienced the coronavirus. The ceremony witnessed eral public and sportspeople. As well as being a good- with an unbeaten century. fortunate for cricket but there is and it gets tough at times. But whether he makes a the presence of Aspetar senior “To ensure we continue enough batsman to feature in Stokes, however, had a no doubt he is a match-winner,” “All he needs to do is prob- Test debut at Hampshire’s management and was also at- to safely provide servic- the top order, paceman Stokes modest match with the bat dur- Waqar told a conference call. ably get stronger and fitter. Ageas Bowl ground on Thurs- tended by the Aspetar medical es to our regular patients is capable of match-changing ing England’s the last week, “If he’s not around Eng- Pakistan over the years has day could depend on how the staff who have been working throughout the pandemic spells with the ball and is an where he wasn’t fully fit to bowl land will probably be a touch produced some real quality England attack recovers from across Hamad Medical Cor- we also launched a telemedi- inspirational figure within the because of a quad injury. light in their middle order, so fast bowlers. In the last two their exertions at Old Trafford poration to boost the health- cine service providing virtual England set-up. But fast-bowling great we’re going to talk about that and a half... three decades, I last week. care workforce fighting against consultations for patients He cemented the posi- Waqar, now coaching the and try to cash in. know. If he keeps himself fit Robinson has been one of COVID-19. requiring rehabilitation and tion last year during England’s current generation of Paki- “He’s the kind of batsman and strong and keeps bowling the most impressive bowlers The event took place at exercise programmes,” add- World Cup final triumph and in stan quicks, was in no doubt who takes the game away from I’m sure he has the potential to in English domestic cricket in Aspetar outlined the hospitals ed Dr. Al Kuwari. leading the side to a stunning England would be poorer for you – single-handedly at times. become a very good bowler.” recent years, taking 137 wick- important role in the health- During the COVID-19 As- one-wicket win in the third Test Stokes’ absence. But the way we bowled at him A scheduled of three back- ets in total across the 2018 and care sectors measures to com- petar has launched a COV- against Australia at Headingley “If he’s not around it’s un- in the previous game showed to-back Tests is particular 2019 seasons. bat COVID-19. While remain- ID-19 Evidence for Athletes ing the common thread among Service which is the first of the attendance is a commit- its kind aimed specifically ment to the health and well- at athletes, their health- being of the community. care teams, coaches and the IPL’s Chennai Super Kings expect Dhoni to play past 40 Aspetar is one of the broader sports community, it worlds leading specialised or- provides them with easy ac- AFP man-wicketkeeper would not rive in Chennai this week before thopedic and sports medicine cess to relevant and reliable New Delhi be quitting soon. leaving next week for Dubai hospitals and has played a vi- information based on the lat- “We don’t worry about where the IPL will start on Sep- tal role in COVID-19 est scientific evidence. Indian Premier League fa- him at all. Yes, we can expect tember 19 after being moved response. Aspetar is one of the Moreover, the hospital vourites Chennai Super Kings M.S. Dhoni to be part of both because of the pandemic. hospitals on standby to receive produced updated guide- expect former India captain (IPL seasons in 2020 and Rajasthan Royals an- COVID-19 patients, should the lines and pathways for the Mahendra Singh Dhoni to 2021) and probably for even nounced Wednesday that need arise, and Aspetar medi- safe return to sports train- keep playing past his 40th the next year, 2022,” Viswa- fielding coach Dishant Yagnik cal staff have been working ing and competition during birthday – until at least 2022, nathan told India Today tel- has become the IPL’s first cor- across Hamad Medical Cor- COVID-19. the team’s chief executive said. evision late on Tuesday. onavirus case and will miss the poration (HMC) facilities to A collaboration between Dhoni has not played a Dhoni, who has led Chen- team flight to AU E next week. boost the healthcare sectors MOPH, Hamad Medical competitive game since India’s nai to three IPL titles, will The team said Yagnik, a clinical workforce. Corporation and Aspetar; World Cup semi-final defeat celebrate his 40th birthday in former Royals player, will During his introductory COVID-19 testing conducted last year, but is due to return July next year. have to undergo two weeks speech at the ceremony, Act- on Qatari athletes aiming to to action when the delayed He remains an influential isolation, then pass two tests ing Chief Executive Officer in reduce and control the risk of IPL begins in the United Arab figure in Indian cricket with in India and three more in the Aspetar Dr. Abdulaziz Jaham the virus spreading between Emirates next month. any hint of retirement causing UAE, as well as quarantine in Al Kuwari, said, “I would like team members and players, While Dhoni is unlikely to concern among fans. Chennai Super Kings captain and wicketkeeper-batsman MS Dhoni. (AFP) Dubai, before he is allowed to to thank all of you, your dedi- as they return to training and play again for India, Chennai Viswanathan said he had rejoin the team. Yagnik has cation in times of adversity. action. It is worth mention- Super Kings chief executive only seen media reports that Jharkhand. “But we don’t have bilities and he will take care of not been in contact with Ra- It is important that everyone ing that Aspetar is now the Kasi Viswanathan said he was Dhoni has been training in in- to worry about the skipper,” he himself and the team.” jasthan players in the last 10 works together to achieve a official medical partner of confident the legendary bats- door nets in his home state of said. “He knows his responsi- The players are due to ar- days, the team said. common goal and I am proud .