Khalid al Emadi showjumps to Big Tour win in Longines Hathab page 16

SUNday, DECEMBER 15, 2019

Boucher appointed SA coach Former wicketkeeper-bat says beware of a t10 league wounded buffalo, especially in Africa page 16 asia town (6.30pm) Five-goal thriller sets Mexico’s Monterrey up for Liverpool clash

Tribune News Network

In a heart-breaking result for hosts Al Sadd, Mexico’s Mon- terrey lined-up a glamour tie with Liverpool after kicking off their FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2019 with an exhilarat- ing 3-2 win. Leonel Vangioni’s aston- ishing strike was the pick of the five-goal thriller, which saw the four-time participants reach the semis for only the second time.

Sadd’s coach gives instruc- Results tions to his players during the 2019 FIFA Club World Cup during Monterrey (MEX) 3 the match at the Jassim Bin Ham- ad Stadium on Saturday. (AFP) (Vangioni 23, Funes Mori 45+1, Rodriguez The Mexicans were almost 77) Al Sadd (QAT) 2 ahead in a matter of seconds, with Jesus Gallardo rasping (Bounedjah 66, a shot onto the bar from an Abdelkarim 89) awkward angle. If that was a statement of intent, Vangioni delivered in style. From 30 yards out he unleashed a me- Al Sadd goalkeeper tries in vain as a goal is scored during the 2019 FIFA Club World Cup quarter-final match against Monterrey at the on Saturday.( AFP) teorite that he couldn’t have placed better with the help of a step-ladder. His shot hit off the top right-hand corner of the post and went in, sending the visiting fans crazy. Their second was another freak event, but of a different manner. A misplaced back pass from Al Sadd Gabi be- came the perfect through ball for Rogelio Funes Mori, who doesn’t miss gifts like that. Hope emerged in the shape of , who superbly headed in from 12 yards, only to see the gap widen again when Carlos Rod- riguez thumped a third off the underside of the bar. made sure it was a nervy end – and gave the home fans a moment to savour – producing his own rocket from 25 yards out, but it proved too little, too late. Monterrey’s Rodolfo Pizarro was named the Alibaba Monterrey’s forward Rogelio Funes Mori (right) is marked by Al Sadd midfielder (centre) Al Sadd’s Gabi (centre) battles for the ball against Monterrey’s midfielder Rodolfo Pizarro (left) and Carlos Cloud Match Award winner. during their match at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Saturday. (AFP) Rodriguez during their 2019 FIFA Club World Cup quarter-final match.( AFP) FANFARE

Monterrey’s fans during the 2019 FIFA Club World Cup quarter-final match between Monterrey and Al Sadd at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha on Saturday.( AFP) Sports Sunday, December 15, 2019 15 Super-sub Gomis’ sublime goal takes Al Hilal into semi-final

Tribune News Network Doha Saudi club to play Brazil’s Super-sub Bafetimbi Gomis sent FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2019 debutants Al Hi- CR Flamengo in the last-four lal into the Qatar 2019 semi- finals as his all-important goal clash on Tuesday saw off Esperance Sportive de Tunis at the Jassim Bin Ham- ad Stadium on Saturday. A keenly-contested en- counter between Asia and Africa’s top sides was settled when the French, and Swan- sea, striker produced a sublime moment of skill and cool finish in the 73rd minute to silence a rocking stadium. Such was Gomis’ calm- ness inside the box, that he was well aware of a defender rushing in as he waited and coolly kicked the ball over his head before shaping up again to make his successful and re- sounding strike. The pair had been evenly matched from the outset in a frenetic and lively clash. ES Tu- nis’s Anice Badri was the first to come close, firing just wide, be- fore Al Hilal ended the opening period the stronger as Andre Carrillo’s effort needed both Al Hilal’s French, and Swansea, striker Bafetimbi Gomis celebrates scoring his winning strike in the 73rd minute against Esperance Sportive de Tunis at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Saturday. Moez Ben Charifia and Mo- hamed Yakoubi to keep it out. The Saudi side’s keeper Abdullah Almuaiouf had to be on high alert when full- back Yasser Alshahrani almost scored a comical looping own goal – producing a clawing save that set them on the way to victory. Having been benched as a precautionary measure, Gomis took just eight minutes to produce a magical winner. Rolling off the shoulder of the backline, he conjured a mas- terful flick to deceive the slid- ing defender before slotting into the bottom corner. Mohammed Kanno saw red late on in the 85th minute, but the win tees up a meeting with South American big guns Flamengo on Tuesday. Al Hilal’s Andre Carrillo was named as Alibaba Cloud Match Award winner. Thrilled Al Hilal fans con- tinued celebrating the win till much later after the match and could be seen rejoicing outside Esperance’s fans light up flares as they cheer their team during the 2019 FIFA Club World Cup quarter-final match between Hilal and Esperance Alibaba Cloud Match Award winner Andre Carrillo of Al Hilal with his the stadium. Sportive de Tunis at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha on Saturday. (AFP) kid at the presentation ceremony.

CR Flamengo arrive, Salah’s twin strikes stretch Liverpool’s rush to the stadium EPL lead to 10 as Leicester stumble AFP could be down to as little as London two points should Manchester United beat Everton on Sunday Liverpool tightened their as their poor run continued. grip on the Premier League ti- Frank Lampard’s men tle race thanks to two Moham- have now lost four of their last ed Salah goals in a 2-0 win over fiveP remier League games Watford which extended their and had only themselves to lead at the top to 10 points as blame as they had 18 shots on second-placed Leicester were goal without finding a way past held 1-1 at home by Norwich. Aaron Ramsdale. Chelsea were also shocked Bournemouth had lost five 1-0 at home by Bournemouth on the spin but got their re- to see their lead over the chas- ward for staying in the game ing pack in fourth further cut, when Dan Gosling skilfully while SheffieldU nited moved flicked a loose ball over Kepa into fifth with a 2-0 win over Arrizabalaga five minutes from Aston Villa. time and VAR overturned a At Anfield, Liverpool kept wrongly-raised offside flag their first clean sheet at home against the midfielder. this season but only thanks “Some responsibility is to Watford’s wastefulness in on the players to take the ball front of goal as the Hornets and have the balls to excite the showed why they are the low- fans,” said Lampard after a est scoring side in the league. Liverpool’s Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Salah (left) celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the fifth home defeat of the season. Abdoulaye Doucoure and English Premier League match against Watford at Anfield in Liverpool on Saturday.( AFP) “In front of our home fans Ismaila Sarr both failed to it’s evident we aren’t playing make a proper connection especially, you need to show cut the gap at the top to just five his own net by Norwich goal- well enough. We aren’t taking with the goal gaping in the first resilience - that’s the most im- points ahead of that meeting keeper Tim Krul, but the hosts our chances and we have given half and the 40-point gap be- portant thing and we showed had they beaten Norwich and could not press home their away some silly goals.” tween the sides in the table was that,” said coach Jurgen Klopp, Manchester City next weekend. dominance in the second half. SheffieldU nited for now shown only in the difference of whose side are seven games However, a club record “The players have been are the Blues’ closest chal- quality in the finishing. into a 15-match stretch across run of eight straight Premier brilliant. When you are on that lengers as they moved ahead Salah struck twice as he five competitions in 50 days. League wins for Brendan winning run you believe you of United and Tottenham into rounded off a rapid Liverpool “We had to fight, that’s Rodgers’s men came to an end are going to win every game fifth as John Fleck scored twice CR Flamengo, who were added to the the prestigious list of seven counter-attack from a Watford what we did and that’s why we against the Canaries. but of course it does not work in the second half to inflict trophy-winners from across the globe after winning the CONMEBOL corner eight minutes before won.” Teemu Pukki broke clear like that,” said Rodgers. a 2-0 defeat on Aston Villa, Libertadores for FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2019, arrived in Doha on half-time. Leicester will be Liver- and finished calmly for his “We were not 100 percent while Jack Grealish missed a Saturday. The Brazilian club’s players, however, wasted no time as they The Egyptian then set- pool’s next opponents in the ninth goal of the season to put on it. We need to set the reset late penalty for the visitors. went straight to the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium to witness the match tled the home crowd’s nerves Premier League on Boxing Day the visitors in front. button.” Burnley were also victors, between Al Hilal and Esperance Sportive de Tunis, and later between a minute from time when he after the European champi- Leicester levelled before 1-0 over Newcastle, thanks to hosts Al Sadd and Mexico’s Monterrey. Flamengo will play Al Hilal in cheekily flicked home Divock ons head to Qatar for the Club the break when Jamie Vardy’s Reality check for Chelsea Chris Wood’s close-range fin- the semis on Tuesday (December 17), while European champions Origi’s mishit shot. World Cup. header from James Maddi- Chelsea’s hold on the fourth ish in a game of few chances at Liverpool will play Monterrey. The final is scheduled for December 21 “In December and January The Foxes had the chance to son’s corner was turned into Champions League place Turf Moor. at Khalifa International Stadium. (TNN) 16 Sunday, December 15, 2019 Sports Australia take huge Longines Hathab Qatar Equestrian Tour 2019-20: Round IV lead against New Results Big Tour | Competition with winning round, Art. 276.2.1 | 130/145cm | Zealand in first Test Prize-Money Ind. QR35,000 1. Rider: Khalid Mohammed al Emadi; Horse: Colibri 19; Faults: 0; Time: 84.98secs; AFP appointing to lose a few wick- Winning Rd Faults: 0; Time: 56.39secs; Prize: Perth (Australia) ets tonight,” he said. QR8,750 “In the grand scheme of 2. Mohammed Sultan al Suwaidi; Happy Feet; Australia were in a com- the game we’re in a good po- 4; 79.44; 0; 56.40; QR7,000 manding position despite a sition and in control of the 3. Mohammed Khalifa al Baker; Verona; 4; late collapse on the game.” 85.52; 0; 58.01; QR5,250 Open Class | Table A, Mini Derby 1 third day of the first Test New Zealand batsman (Without J-Off), FEI Art. 277 | against New Zealand at Perth Ross Taylor said the fightback 115/125cm | Prize-Money QR30,000 Stadium on Saturday. late in the day could prove im- 1. Rider: Khalifa Abdulla al Khaldi; Horse: Having led by 250 runs portant, regardless of the re- Dusty; Faults: 0; Time: 126.34secs; Prize: on the first innings, the home sult of this match. QR7,5000 side were 167 for six at stumps, Labuschagne, dropped 2. Hamad Towaim al Marri; BCO Come On Boy with Matthew Head on eight on four by Colin de Grand- Z; 0; 130.97; QR6,000 and Pat Cummins on one -- an homme from the bowling of 3. Hamad Nasser al Qadi; Jumbo; 0; 131.99; overall lead of 417. Neil Wagner (2-40), missed QR4,500 Dressage Level 1 (Elementary) | Cruising at 131 for one the chance to join elite com- Prize-Money QR10,000 when Marnus Labuschagne pany when he pulled a short 1. Rider: Jassim Mohammed al Kuwari; Horse: (50) and Joe Burns (53) were ball straight to Mitchell Sant- Lauries; Score: 69.167; Prize:QR2,750 at the crease, the Australians ner at mid- from the 2. Micky Nijboer; Baltic Royal; 68.125; lost five for 29 under lights same bowler. QR2,000 later in the day against some Without a Test century 3. Kelly Guillambert; Amber; 67.708; spirited short-pitched bowl- only a month ago, he was on QR1,500 ing from the Kiwis, with Tim track to become just the sec- Dressage Level 2 (Prelim) Test B | Prize-Money QR5,000 Southee claiming 4-63. ond Australian batsman, and 1. Kelly Guillambert; Levante RH II; 70.000; Burns said the Australians fifth overall, to score four Test QR1,250 were not too concerned by los- centuries in succession. 2. Maryam Ahmad al Boinin; Vol DE Nuit ing the late . The only Australian to do Tardonne; 68.333; QR1,000 “Really happy with where so previously was Jack Fingle- 3. Rebecca Cruickshank; Kelly; 68.333; we are at, although it was dis- ton in 1936. QR750

Scoreboard Australia (1st innings): 416 48-2, M Labuschagne 5-1-9-1 New Zealand (1st innings): Khalid Mohammed al Emadi astride Colibri 19 on way to winning the Big Tour of the fourth leg of Longines Hathab Qatar Equestrian Tour 2019-20 at Al Shaqab on Saturday. J. Raval b Hazlewood 1 Australia (2nd innings): T. Latham c and b Starc 0 D. Warner c sub (Blundell) b Southee 19 K. Williamson c Smith b Starc 34 J. Burns c Nicholls b Southee 53 R. Taylor c Smith b Lyon 80 M. Labuschagne c Santner b Wagner 50 H. Nicholls c Paine b Starc 7 S. Smith c Raval b Wagner 16 N. Wagner b Starc 0 M. Wade 8 Khalid al Emadi showjumps to BJ. Watling b Cummins 8 T. Head c de Grandhomme b Southee 5 C. de Grandhomme c Smith b Starc 23 T. Paine b Southee 0 M. Santner b Labuschagne 2 P. Cummins not out 1 T. Southee c sub (Neser) b Lyon 8 Extras (lb3, nb5, w7) 15 Extras (b1, lb2) 3 Total: (six wickets: 57 overs) 167 Total (all out; 55.2 overs) 166 Fall of wickets: 1-44 (Warner), 2-131 (Labuschagne), Big Tour win with Colibri 19 Fall of wickets: 1-1 (Latham), 2-1 (Raval), 3-77 3-148 (Burns), 4-154 (Smith), 5-160 (Head), 6-160 (Williamson), 4-97 (Nicholls), 5-97 (Wagner), 6-120 (Paine) (Watling), 7-147 (Taylor), 8-155 (de Grandhomme), Bowling: Southee 19-6-63-4 (3w), de Grandhomme Tribune News Network 9-166 (Santner), 10-166 (Southee). 13-2-26-0 (1w, 2nb), Wagner 17-2-40-2 (3w, 3nb), Doha Bowling: Starc 18-2-52-5, Hazlewood 1.2-1-0-1, Santner 8-0-35-0 Cummins 14.4-3-46-1, Wade 2-0-8-0, Lyon 14.2-2- Toss: Australia Khalid Mohammed al Emadi stood out with a fault- less and impressive routine to win the Big Tour of the fourth leg of Longines Hathab Qatar Equestrian Tour 2019-20 at Al Shaqab on Saturday. The 25-year-old was the only one to have a faultless winning round in the Competi- tion with winning round, Art. 276.2.1 | 130/145cm class clock- ing 84.98secs on his 11-year-old grey gelding Colibri 19. He thus consolidated his Dressage competition winner Jassim Mohammed al Kuwari receives position at the top in Big Tour. his prize from dressage judge Megan Black as runner-up Micky He was already leading with Nijboer, and third-placed Kelly Guillambert look on. 72 points at the start of the 4th round. excel with his horse Lauries to Al Shaqab equestrian centre. Mohammed Sultan al Su- collect a score of 69.167 points The 12-leg National eques- waidi, who has just one point, for top podium finish. trian series Hathab will even- separating him from Khalid, Event Director, Longines Hathab, Ali al Rumaihi awards the Big Tour Micky Nijboer with Baltic tually conclude in April. The had to settle for the runners-up winners and runners-up at Al Shaqab on Saturday. Royal was second. best seven results are taken spot as he picked some faults in Dressage Level 2 (Prelim) into account for overall re- trying to be quick on his mount Earlier, Khalifa Abdulla al riding BCO Come On Boy Z, Test B competitionw as won sults. Happy Feet, a bay mare. Khaldi on Dusty claimed the finished second, and Hamad by Kelly Guillambert, who Hathab is an initiative of Giving a good account of top honours in the Mini Derby Nasser al Qadi astride Jumbo impressed with her horse Le- HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad himself was Mohammed Khal- of Open Class FEI Art. 277 | being third. vante RH II. al Thani, President, Qatar Australia’s fast bowler Mitchell Starc sucessfully appeals the wicket ifa al Baker as he rode his dark 115/125cm (Without Jump- The Dressage Level 1 (El- The 5th Longines Hathab Olympic Committee, and car- of New Zealand’s Colin de Grandhomme on day three of the first Test brown mare Verona to the Off) event. ementary) competition saw Tour will be held in New Year ries a total prize-money of cricket match at the Perth Stadium in Perth on Saturday. (AFP) third place in 58.01secs. Hamad Towaim al Marri, Jassim Mohammed al Kuwari of 2020 from January 2 at over QR1.2mn.

‘Beware a wounded buffalo,’ Americans slide despite Thomas boost warns new coach Boucher results US golfers trail by a point in the AFP nationally experienced guy,” Results from the Presidents Cup on Saturday at Cape Town said Smith. Presidents Cup at Melbourne Royal Melbourne Golf Club (par 71). International Enoch Nkwe, who was pre- team first: Saturday fourballs Former Test wicketkeeper viously interim team director AFP Thomas was the anchor, Internationals 2.5 United States 1.5 was on Saturday and in charge of the team on a Melbourne Marc Leishman/Li Haotong lost to Justin Thomas/ named as South African team recent tour of India, was named draining winners on the Rickie Fowler 3 and 2 head coach until 2023. assistant coach, also with a con- second, eighth, 11th and Im Sung-jae/Abraham Ancer beat Xander Justin Thomas again proved Schauffele/Patrick Cantlay 3 and 2 An upbeat Boucher said tract until the end of the next a rock with his third point of 16th at Royal Melbourne Hideki Matsuyama/CT Pan beat Webb Simpson/ South African cricket had been Cricket World Cup in 2023. the Presidents Cup on Satur- to help beat Australian Patrick Reed 5 and 3 through “trying times” but was con- day, but his teammates failed Adam Scott/An Byeong-hun tied with Matt Kuchar/ added that he was con- firmed as captain for Marc Leishman and Tony Finau to match the exploits as Tiger Chinese rookie Li Haotong fident that the national the Test series against Woods’ Americans slipped 3 and 2. Saturday foursomes team could be success- England which starts further behind. Internationals 1 United States 3 ful against England. at Centurion on De- The world number four, Louis Oosthuizen/Adam Scott lost to Dustin “Beware of a cember 26, while for- Johnson/Gary Woodland 2 and 1 an 11-time winner on the Saturday afternoon, ahead of 12 Marc Leishman/Abraham Ancer tied with Justin wounded buffalo, es- mer Test batsman PGA Tour, was teamed with singles on Sunday. Thomas/Rickie Fowler pecially in Africa,” he Ashwell Prince was Woods on the opening two With 30 points at stake, the Cameron Smith/Im Sung-jae lost to Xander said. The announce- named coach of South days, but with the playing- first to 15.5 will win the cup. Schauffele/Patrick Cantlay 2 and 1 ment was made by Africa A. An Byeong-hun/Joaquin Niemann tied with Matt captain resting for the Sat- “I’d much rather be 0-3 Kuchar/Tony Finau Mark Boucher Smith said he ex- urday morning fourballs, he and us be winning by five or interim director of pected to appoint bat- partnered Rickie Fowler. six points,” said Thomas. “You Match score: cricket, former Test captain ting and bowling consultants International team 10 US team 8. First to 15.5 Thomas was the anchor, know, everyone that goes out points wins the Presidents Cup. , who only took within the next week. draining winners on the second, there, we just have to go out up his post on Wednesday. Boucher said South Africa eighth, 11th and 16th at Royal there and try to do our job.” Boucher, 43, played in 146 had rebounded in the past. Melbourne to help beat Austral- Sensational Mexican Abra- Reed, who were trounced by Tests, 290 one-day interna- “I have been involved ian Marc Leishman and Chi- ham Ancer matched Thomas Leishman and Ancer on Fri- tionals and 25 Twenty20 in- in sides where we’ve had nese rookie Li Haotong 3 and 2. with a third point for his team, US team member Justin Thomas reacts to a missed putt on the sixth day, but they struggled again ternationals for South Africa some very tough times,” said But it was their only win, including a wonder putt on the hole during the third day of the Presidents Cup golf tournament in against Hideki Matsuyama and and one test for an ICC World Boucher. with Ernie Els’ Internationals third. Melbourne on Saturday. (AFP) Taiwan’s CT Pan, whose iron XI before a serious eye injury “One of the toughest was clinching two matches with the Paired with impressive play was laser-like. ended his career in 2012. the (corruption) other tied as they target a first South Korean Im Sung-jae, just cans on the eighth handed An- to do that, it’s a lot of fun,” said They lost the opening two He has coached the Titans saga but straight away after victory in the match-play event 21 but who has risen to the oc- cer and Im a 1-up advantage Ancer. holes and with Matsuyama franchise for the past three sea- that we beat Australia. since 1998. casion, they outplayed Patrick and they never looked back in a “But my partner was in- and Pan’s putters running hot, sons, winning five of a possible “I think we’ve got a very It put them in the box seat Cantlay, who dropped one of convincing 3 and 2 win. credible. I think we both played including an eagle on the sixth nine trophies. good chance of turning it with a commanding 9-5 lead those crucial putts on Friday, “These are the moments some really good golf today.” for debutant Pan, the US never “I felt that at this stage the around. I’ve been in set-ups heading into four foursome -- and Xander Schauffele. that we’ve been practising for Woods kept faith with recovered, crushed 5 and 3 in Proteas (national team) need- where we have turned around or alternate shot -- matches on Bogeys from both Ameri- our whole life, and to be able Webb Simpson and Patrick the biggest margin so far. ed a really hardened, inter- in a couple of days.” Sports Sunday, December 15, 2019 17

Sports minister visitS LCSC, meets & encourages QSTK600 riders, QTCC drivers

His Excellency Salah bin Ghanem al Ali, the Minister of Culture and Sports, visited the Losail Circuit Sports Club during the first round of the Qatar Superstock 600 and Qatar Touring Car Championship on Saturday. LCSC Khalid al Remaihi, LCSC Vice-President and General Manager, and other club officials welcomed the minister, who met the participating riders and drivers. The minster also paid a visit to Losail Motorsports Academy. There was a traditional photo session of the QSTK600 riders and QTCC drivers before the opening races. Qatar’s Abdulla al Qubaisi was the pole rider in the Qatar Superstock 600 ahead of Mashel al Naimi and defending champion Saeed al Sulaiti. In the QSTK Trophy, the fastest rider was the French debutant Jeremy Parola. Rayad al Emadi and Kuwaiti Alexander Qabazard finished second and third, respectively. Qatar’s Saadon al Kuwari clinched the first pole position of the season in the QTCC series.

In-form Al Lusail claims Cup The Al Jeryan Stud horse records sixth win in row; Rider Lukasek bags a treble Mohammed Imran of Swift Gallopers receives the Man of the Match award after his team beat Flying Oryx by 27 runs at the Asian Town Tribune News Network Stadium on Saturday. DOHA

Al Lusail lived up to his top billing and bagged the sixth Swift Gallopers make straight race, taking home the Halul Island Cup, the feature event on the first day of the Qatar T10 Cricket two-day Qatar National Day celebration week. At the Qatar Racing and League semi-final Equestrian Club Racecourse Asian and Qatar Equestrian Federations President Hamad bin Abdulrahman al Attiyah with winning connections of Al Lusail after the prize in New Al Rayyn, the five- distribution of the Halul Island Cup race at the QREC Racecourse in New Al Rayyan on Saturday. Tribune News Network the rivals to 71 for eight. year-old bay horse from Al DOHA With this results, three Jeryan Stud, ridden by Ronan fifth spots, respectively. in the Thoroughbred Handi- teams have managed to qualify Thomas, edged Abu Samrah, Soufiane Saadi pushed cap Class 4 2,00m (Div 2). Swift Gallopers made sure for the last four stage of the with Harry Bentley astride, Qatar International Cup This was also season’s first that there were no last-mo- League. Falcon Hunters and by half a length to win the (Group 1 PA) runner-up Al triumph for the four-year-old ment anxious moments as Desert Riders are other two 2,400m race. Naama, an Alban de Mieulle bay colt, owned by Khalifa they defeated Flying Oryx by outfits, besides Swift Gallopers. While the result enabled trainee, to beat Dabbab by Mohammed al Attiyah. Both 27 runs and grabbed one of trainer Hadi al Ramzani to a head to emerge the win- the top two finishers were the semi-final spots in the Qa- Standings wrap up a double, it denied ner in the Purebred Arabian trained by Hossin Moham- tar T10 Cricket League on Sat- Khalifa bin Sheail and trainer Conditions 1,850m. This was mad Ashour. urday. Qatar T10 League Team M W L T NR Pts Jassim Ghazali a treble. Sal- the second race of the sea- Lukasek then completed At the Asian Town Sta- 1.Falcon Hunters 5 4 1 0 0 8 man Bu Thaila, ridden by son for the five-year-old grey his fine treble when he guided dium, Swift Gallopers, batting 2.Swift Gallopers 5 4 1 0 0 8 Luca Maniezzi, was third by mare. Prince Amer was third the HH Sheikh Mohammed first, recovered from two early 3.Desert Riders 5 3 1 0 1 7 one and a quarter lengths. by four lengths, failing the bin Khalifa al Thani-owned blows to put 98 for six on the 4.Flying Oryx 5 1 3 0 1 3 5.Heat Stormers 4 0 3 0 1 1 Shaman Bu Thaila (Eduardo match the pace of the two Neearah to the Purebred Ara- board. Ravinderpal Singh and 6.Pearl Gladiators 4 0 3 0 1 1 Pedroza) finished fourth by front-runners. Evolution Du bian Maiden Plate title. The skipper Kamran Akmal were nose, while Abha, another Croate and Brama De Pom- four-year-old colt has had five the players who excelled and Ramzani trainee, rounded out padour were fourth and fifth, races in two seasons without took the score close to three The last match of the the top five. respectively. win this season but wasn’t to figures. League phase pits Heat Storm- This was the third succes- Daneyan handed trainer be denied this time around. Singh smashed four sixes ers and Pearl Gladiators. The sive winner of the season for Jassim Ghazali the second He beat Djamil, ridden by Ro- and a four in 34, facing only winner of this match may have Al Lusail, who has been un- winner of the day, pulling off nan Thomas, by three quar- 18 balls, while opener Akmal’s an outside chance to overtake beaten in the past six races, the Thoroughbred Handicap Traditional Maseela racing riders in action ahead of the finals to be ters of a length in 1,600m 15-ball 25 contained a six and Oryx on the basis of a better which lifted his tally to 10 in Class 3 2,200m race by three held at the QREC Racecourse on Sunday. race, while Mourad was third two boundaries. Bilawal Iqbal net run-rate. Both have one 20 races. quarters. Ridden by Marco by over a length. claimed two scalps for 14. point each from their washed Festive (Khalifa bin Sheail Casamento, the four-year-old cap dash over 1,200m, AJS Al Sealine by a head to post his Soufiane Saadi and Ro- Mughees Bajwa and out matches. al Kuwari) and Al Naama (Al grey colt also had the sweet Moheeb, owned by Moham- overall third win in 21 races. nan Thomas ended Lukasek’s Zain Uddin derailed the cru- On Friday, Amad Butt and Shaqab Racing) shared the taste of his first win in four med al Attiya and trained by Earlier, Tomas Lukasek dazzling run when the for- cial chase by Flying Oryx, Mohammed Rizlan turned in other two big races of the races in the season when he Jassim Ghazali, ended his nailed a superb hat-trick of mer set up a two-and-a-half- for whom it was a must-win stellar performances to guide day. Ridden by Bentley, Fes- beat Perfect Storm by three victory wait. wins, claiming the first three length triumph for Ellianka, match to progress into the Falcon Hunters in the semi- tive held off Amenable, un- quarters of a length. Saint Admiral has been in a races. First, he took home Ali owned by Mohanad Jassim al next stage. Both the bowlers finals with a 37-run victory der Maniezzi, by a short head Roch was third by neck in a strong form this season and Yousuf al Kubaisi’s four-year- Yaqout, in the Purebred Ara- grabbed two wickets apiece to against Pearl Gladiators. to win the Thoroughbred for tight finish. posted his fourth triumph in old bay colt Suprematism bian Claiming Race 1,200m. put early pressure on the op- Opener Sikander Raza also Fillies and Mares (Class 2) Admiral, under Eduardo succession in five races this home by over a length against With Ronan Thomas ponents. Only Iqbal showed smashed a blazing 87 not out 2,000m. The Ghazali ward Pedroza, and AJS Al Moheeb, season. Sarat Abha (Tomas Geno in the Thoroughbred astride, Wadha tried hard but some resistance during his to steer Dream Riders into the and winner posted ridden by Harry Bentley, add- Lukasek) was third by two Handicap Class 4 2,000m could not stop the five-year- 12b-ball 18, which had a six final four with a five-wicket the second successive win in ed to the thrills. While Sheikh lengths. race (Div 1). This was his first old bay mare, a trainee of and two boundaries. win off the last ball. three races in the season. Khalid bin Jassim al Thani- AJS Al Moheeb was sec- victory in four races in the Hadi al Ramzani, from win- Man of the match Mo- The top qualifier will take Qatar Dance was third by owned five years old bay ond in four races last month. season. ning first time in four races hammed Imran made the life on the fourth-placed team in over three lengths and was horse Admiral beat Qate’e by But with Harry Bentley on the Then El Patron and Lu- this season. D Jumana, with further difficult for the Oryx a semi-final, while the second- followed by Regality and Hill- less than a length to win the back, the six-year-old grey kasek outran Ras Mlaejy by Lukasek holding reins, was team. He grabbed three wick- placed face the third-placed side Dream in the fourth and Local Thoroughbred Handi- horse managed to hold off one length and three quarters third by a length. ets for just 14 runs to restrict outfit in other.