FRIDAY 25 OCTOBER 2019 SPORT 17 Games like this we have to learn Barcelona manager how to manage better. We had Ernesto Valverde after TODAY’S ACTION better, clearer chances but we 2-1 win over Slavia lacked the cold-blooded Prague at the UEFA 5:20pm: Al Shahania vs Al Sailiya at Al Ahli Stadium calmness in their half which could Champions League. 7:30pm: Al Arabi vs Al Rayyan at Al Arabi Stadium have sealed the result.

NBA RESULTS Tiger roars back after horror Indiana 111, Detroit 119 Charlotte 126, Chicago 125 Orlando 94, Cleveland 85 Brooklyn 126, Minnesota 127 Miami 120, Memphis 101 start to share lead in Japan Philadelphia 107, Boston 93 Dallas 108, Washington 100 AFP The American pair head San Antonio 120, New York 111 INZAI, JAPAN into second round with a one- Utah 100, Oklahoma City 95

shot lead over home hero Phoenix 124, Sacramento 95 Tiger Woods got off to a horrific Hideki Matsuyama, after Portland 100, Denver 108 start before roaring back with Woods endured a roller coaster nine birdies in 15 holes to share round at Accordia Golf Nar- the inaugural Zozo Champi- ashino Country Club in Inzai onship lead in Japan yesterday City. Irving scores as Rory McIlroy struggled. McIlroy had a day where he After slumping to three- couldn’t find his usual range 50 in Nets’ over par after three holes, with his irons and his putter Woods recovered in stunning was cold in a two-over 72 fea- defeat to fashion to finish with a back- turing a double bogey six at the nine of 29 and a six-under 12th. round of 64 alongside US Open It was Woods’ lowest Timberwolves champion Gary Woodland. season-opening round in his “I certainly was not long career and came as the REUTERS expecting to shoot six-under 43-year-old chases an 82nd US NEW YORK par after that start,” admitted PGA Tour victory to tie the all- Woods. time record held by Sam Snead. Karl-Anthony Towns collected 36 “It was ugly early and it was That had not seemed points and 14 rebounds as the visiting nice to be able to flip it and remotely possible early on as Minnesota Timberwolves overcame a really get it going. Now I’m in Woods exhibited signs of rust Tiger Woods of the US 50-point performance from Kyrie a position where we’re going from a two-month layoff for hits a second shot at the Irving in a 127-126 overtime victory to have a long, long weekend arthroscopic left knee surgery. over the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday second hole during the of a lot of golf that hopefully I Starting his round on the in the season opener for the both first round of the Zozo can keep it going.” 10th tee, the 15-time major teams. Championship in Inzai, Irving had the ball in his hands on Chiba, yesterday. the final possession, but the six-time ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP (TOP SCORERS) All-Star lost his footing off the dribble winner dropped three shots in packed galleries in golf-crazy eight-iron 200 yards and hit it and forced a shot that caromed off the 64 - Tiger Woods (USA), Gary Woodland (USA) as many holes with three con- sell-out crowd of 17,734. 200. That’s not something I rim as time expired. 65 - Hideki Matsuyama (JPN) secutive bogeys. “It was loud, it was very normally do.” Towns sank a career-high seven 67 - Kang Sung-hoon (KOR), Daniel Berger (USA), Ryan Palmer (USA) He steadied himself with a loud,” said Woods. The Zozo Championship 3-pointers, and Andrew Wiggins added 68 - Andrew Putnam (USA), Billy Horschel (USA), Xander Schauffele (USA), CT Pan (TPE), par at the 13th before turning “The people here in Japan offers a $9.75m prize pot as the 21 points for the Timberwolves, who Joaquin Niemann (CHI), Ryo Ishikawa (JPN), Rikuya Hoshino (JPN) his round completely on its have come out and supported middle leg of the Tour’s new overcame squandering an 18-point, 69 - Louis Oosthuizen (RSA), Emiliano Grillo (ARG), Corey Conners (CAN), Satoshi Kodaira (JPN), head with three birdies in a row this event and it’s been a lot of near $30m three-tournament second-quarter lead to hand Brooklyn Paul Casey (ENG), Matthew Wolff (USA), Bubba Watson (USA), Keegan Bradley (USA), Keith to get back to level par. fun to play in front of them Asian swing. It began last week its seventh straight season-opening Mitchell (USA), Kevin Tway (USA), Adam Schenk (USA) His fourth gain in five holes again. I haven’t done it in a at the $9.75m CJ Cup in South loss. 70 - Charles Howell III (USA), Vaughn Taylor (USA), Justin Thomas (USA), JT Poston (USA), To- at the 18th saw him turn for while and I’ve missed it.” Korea, won by Justin Thomas Irving shot 17 of 33 from the field moharu Otsuki (JPN), An Byeong-hun (KOR), Sergio Garcia (ESP), Danny Lee (NZL) home in one-under 35. Woods made his final gain at who shot a level par 70 yes- in his first game since he and the 71 - Dylan Frittelli (RSA), Shane Lowry (IRL), Rory Sabbatini (SVK), Adam Hadwin (CAN), Im By now Woods was firmly the ninth where he barked for terday, and concludes at next injured Kevin Durant elected to sign Sung-jae (KOR), Park Sang-hyun (KOR), Kevin Na (USA), Max Homa (USA), Troy Merritt (USA), in the groove and three more his ball to “get down” out of the week’s $10.25m WGC-HSBC with Brooklyn in the summer. birdies in a row from the third, rough. Champions in . The point total was the seventh best Adam Long (USA), Chan Kim (USA), Collin Morikawa (USA), Tommy Fleetwood (ENG), Ian his 12th hole, took the charging “This grass, Zoysia, man. Under threat of a tropical in franchise history and the most by a Poulter (ENG) Tiger into a share of the lead at You can get some serious flyers storm moving through the area Nets player making his debut, eclipsing 72 - Rory McIlroy (NIR), Harold Varner III (USA), Patrick Reed (USA), Tony Finau (USA), Ryan four under. out here, monster flyers,” said from late morning, today’s the 30 posted by Hall of Famer Nate

Moore (USA), Mikumu Horikawa (JPN), Yosuke Asaji (JPN), Pat Perez (USA), Lucas Glover (USA), A two at the short seventh Woods. second round will start an hour “Tiny” Archibald with then-New Jersey Seung-Su Han (USA), Joel Dahmen (USA put Woods ahead on his own “The one I hit on the last earlier at 7am with the last in 1976 as well as D’Angelo Russell in to a deafening roar from hole, we were trying to hit an three balls teeing off at 9am. 2017. Nationals rout Astros to seize Downbeat Hamilton command of World Series doubts title triumph at Mexican Grand Prix AFP Then the Nationals, the most HOUSTON prolific scoring team when down AFP this is one of his least favoured to their final out in an inning, MEXICO CITY tracks -- he has won just once, Powered by a devastating made the magic happen again in 2016, in four races although six-run seventh inning, the with devastating results. If things go his way, Lewis he did enough in 2017 and 2018 Washington Nationals seized Howie Kendrick, hitless Hamilton (pictured) can clinch to secure the world titles in command of the World Series by against Verlander, chopped an his sixth drivers’ world title Mexico. routing Houston 12-3 on infield single to shortstop to triumph in the rarefied atmos- Hamilton, who leads the Wednesday, moving halfway to score Robles for a 4-2 lead, phere of the Mexican Grand Prix championship by 64 points with the US capital’s first title since keeping the bases loaded. this weekend. four races, including Mexico still 1924. Cabrera, who struck out in It would be a monumental to come, knows he can take a Kurt Suzuki, Adam Eaton and three earlier at bats, singled to achievement, nudging him cautious approach without Michael Taylor smacked home centerfield to drive in Turner and ahead of five-time champion scrapping for victory on Sunday. runs, Asdrubal Cabrera drove in Soto for a 6-2 Washington lead. Juan Fangio and making him the He will secure the title by three runs and Stephen Strasburg Ryan Zimmerman singled to second most successful driver out-scoring his Mercedes team- pitched six strong innings as the third and a throwing error by in Formula One history behind mate Valtteri Bottas, who lies Nationals grabbed a 2-0 edge in Houston’s Alex Bregman allowed only Michael Schumacher whose second, by at least 14 points. But Major League Baseball’s best-of- both Kendrick and Cabrera to seven titles between 1994 and he accepts that the Finn will be seven final. score, boosting the Nats’ lead to 2004 remain the pinnacle. a very competitive rival and Suzuki’s solo homer off Hou- 8-2 before Pressley was removed The 34-year-old Eng- unlikely to wave him through to ston’s Justin Verlander opened and Josh James ended the inning. lishman, though, holds out little the chequered flag. Washington’s seventh-inning The onslaught wasn’t over. hope of either winning the race Both the in-form Ferrari fireworks and ensured the Robles struck out in the eighth at a venue ill-suited to the team and Red Bull, for whom 36-year-old Astros ace would Houston native and Olympic gymnastics gold medalist Simone but reached first after catcher strengths of his Mercedes car or Max Verstappen will hope to remain winless after a sixth Biles high fives Houston Astros centre fielder Jake Marisnick after Martin Maldonado dropped the sealing the title. complete a hathat-trick trick of Mexican World Series start. throwing out a ceremonial first pitch to Marisnick prior to game third strike. Eaton then blasted “Mexico“Mexico is gen-gen- victories afterafter hhisis wwins in 2017 “He doesn’t make many two of the 2019 World Series on Wednesday. a two-run homer. Soto walked erallyerally our worst andand 2018, havehave highhig hopes of mistakes and when you get a and later scored on a Cabrera rraceace of the yyearear success at a tracktra where pitch to hit you can’t miss it,” The Nationals, who have after the 1971 season to become single for an 11-2 Nationals lead bbecauseecause ooff MMercedesercedes havehave admitted Suzuki said. won eight games in a row and 18 the Texas Rangers. and Taylor added a solo homer ththee wayway theythey expect to struggle.st The scene shifts to Wash- of their past 20 games, began Suzuki blasted a solo homer in the ninth. ouourr cacarr is “The“The llastast ffewew have been ington for Friday’s game three, play 50 years ago as the Mon- off Verlander to open the Turner walked and Eaton setset up andand it’s prettypretty shockingshocking evene though the first World Series matchup treal Expos before moving to seventh. The Astros lifted the singled to open the game and goinggoing to be a we’ve won thethe titlet there,” in the US capital for 86 years. Washington for the 2005 season. 36-year-old righthander after he Anthony Rendon followed with ttoughough one fforor saidsaid HamiHamilton.lton. Of the past 18 teams to seize Washington’s only World walked Victor Robles. a two-run double to left field for uus,”s , ” saisaidd “I’m hopinghoping forfo a better a 2-0 World Series edge, 17 have Series crown came 95 years ago Houston reliever Ryan a 2-0 Washington lead. Hamilton.Hamilton. weeweekendkend bbutut I think it’s won the title. Only three teams when the original Senators Pressly walked Trea Turner, Houston’s Jose Altuve HistoryHistory going to bbee vvery hard to have dropped the first two at defeated the New York Giants in Eaton advanced the runners on reached base in his 22nd con- showsshows beat tthehe Ferraris on home and won the title -- Kansas seven games. They would a bunt sacrifice and Juan Soto secutive play-off game with a thatthat those long City in 1985, the New York Mets relocate to become the Min- was issued Houston’s first inten- first-inning double but was straights.” in 1986 and the New York nesota Twins in 1961 and a tional walk of the year to load thrown out trying to steal third Yankees in 1996. replacement version would leave the bases. base. 18 SPORT FRIDAY 25 OCTOBER 2019

2019 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship final round begins Davies finishes ahead of champion Rea THE PENINSULA that is where he would finish RESULTS come the end of proceedings, TOP SIX AFTER DAY ONE AT LOSAIL: with the five-time World British rider last Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) 1’57.449 Superbike Champion working night produced an electric Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) +0.273 solidly on his race pace. performance to top the Álvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +0.318 After a top three performance timesheets after the two free Toprak Razgatlioglu (Turkish Puccetti Racing) +0.579 in FP1, Razgatliolgu set his sights practice sessions at the final Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Team) +0.708 on third place overall in the round of the 2019 MOTUL FIM (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) +0.806 Championship in the best way Superbike World Championship. possible. The 23-year-old from Winner of one three races at TOP SIX AFTER DAY ONE IN WORLDSSP: Alanya is in a strong position to the US Grand Prix in July, Davies Jules Cluzel (GMT94 YAMAHA) 2’01.518 overhaul those ahead of him in outpaced five-time world Federico Caricasulo (BARDAHL Evan Bros. WorldSSP Team) +0.742 the Championship and completed champion Jonathan Rea as he Ayrton Badovini ( Racing) +0.746 the first day of Qatar action in navigated with blistering speed Isaac Viñales (Kallio Racing) +0.817 fourth. There were plenty of other at the flood-lit Losail Interna- (BARDAHL Evan Bros. WorldSSP Team) +0.872 Independent riders inside the top tional Circuit where the season Raffaele De Rosa (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) +0.909 ten, with Cortese in ninth and Baz ends tomorrow with round 13. in 10th. The 32-year-old Briton, who TOP SIX AFTER DAY ONE IN WORLDSSP300: Closely matched in the Cham- has been twice a winner at Losail Manuel González (Kawasaki ParkinGO Team) 2’15.438 pionship and closely matched and looks like he could be on (Kawasaki Provec WorldSSP300) +0.212 after yesterday’s action, the Pata course to repeat that this Andy Verdoïa (BCD Yamaha MS Racing) +0.258 Yamaha WorldSBK Team duo of weekend, last night clocked a Oliver König (Freudenberg KTM WorldSSP Team) +0.549 and Michael van der time of 1m 57.449 to finish his free British rider Chaz Davies in action during the second free practice session at the final Dion Otten (MTM Racing Team) +0.681 Mark continue to squabble on practice ahead of Rea who posted round of the 2019 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship at Losail International Filippo Rovelli (Kawasaki ParkinGO Team) +0.712 their last weekend in the same 1m 57.722. Rea topped the Circuit, yesterday. team. Van der Mark had the upper timesheets in the first session with hand and was up in fifth place, a time of 1’58.010 in his 17 laps. whilst Lowes was seventh when Davies said yesterday: “It was I am confident of turning in a little Rea in the first session, clocked will better when the tracks gets Reiterberger (BMW WorldSBK the chequered flag came out. Both a bit of a surprise, to be honest. better tomorrow. We have a good 1m 58.028 on his Kawasaki used. Then we will have the Team, 1m 58.459), are in a fierce battle for third with The bike’s not that good after the idea on the bike so far.” ZX-10RR. Razgatlioglu was fourth matching speed we are looking (GRT Yamaha, 1m 58.503) and Razgatlioglu and will thus need crash on the second lap. I didn’t In third place yesterday was fastest from yesterday’s action. for.” Frenchman Loris Baz (Ten Kate to work together in order to bring start with confidence but we this season’s biggest surprise, Rea said after the two practice Dutchman Michael van der SBK Yamaha, 1m 58.566) com- Yamaha the bronze medal worked on the bike between the former MotoGP rider Alvaro sessions yesterday: “I think we Mark (Pata Yamaha), was placed pleted the top-10 from last night’s position. two sessions. And it worked. The Bautista who clocked 1m 57.767. will be even faster. Being here in fifth fastest in a time of 1m 58.157 exciting free practice. The BMW charge in Qatar guys did a great job. The set-up The 34-year-old was down in the desert, the track is incredible. while British duo Tom Sykes Having led to the opening was led by 2013 WorldSBK we need isn’t that far. So I am seventh after the first session but You need a little bit of time to get (BMW WorldSBK Team, 1m session of the weekend, Rea was Champion Sykes, who spent most pretty happy. Normally it starts come the end of FP2, he was up in and the cool thing here is it gets 58.255) and Alex Lowes (Pata right back in the mix of things and of the session down in 15th place, slippery (in Qatar). The start in third. faster and faster. Maybe some of Yamaha, 1m 58.303) emerged as ready for battle in FP2. The before firing in a good lap time wasn’t bad today. I feel by Sat- Turkey’s rising star Toprak the problems we experienced the sixth and seventh best riders. Northern Irishman was in second with less than eight minutes to go, urday the track will be well used. Razgatlioglu, who had shadowed today or the limitations we had Germany’s Markus for the majority of the session and putting him in sixth.

QATAR ROUND Today: Still a lot to play for, 15:00 WorldSBK - FP3 15:35 WorldSSP - FP3 16:10 WorldSSP300 - FP3A 17:30 WorldSBK - Superpole says racing star Rea 18:10 WorldSSP - Superpole 18:50 WorldSSP300 - Superpole A RIZWAN REHMAT Rea has an unbeatable tally of 20:00 WorldSBK - Race 1 THE PENINSULA 601 points from 12 rounds while arch-rival Bautisa is second with Tomorrow: Racing star Jonathan Rea of Britain We are trying to 460 points. 14:00 WorldSBK - WUP has already secured the 2019 In a candid chat on Wednesday, bring home the 14:25 WorldSSP300 - WUP WorldSBK Championship title but Bautista admitted battling against 14:50 WorldSSP - WUP the Kawasaki giant seems geared manufacturers’ title for Rea was a rich learning experience 16:00 WorldSBK - Superpole Race up for a victorious finish to the Kawasaki. It is nice to for the Spaniard making his 17:15 WorldSSP300 - Race season tomorrow. WorldSBK debut for Ducati. I amam very happy to participate in this round. It was have these targets going 18:15 WorldSSP - Race After watching former MotoGP “For sure, the fight against the 20:00 WorldSBK - Race 2 tough to prepare the bike for this weekend and do rider Alvaro Bautista of Spain notch into the weekend at a best Superbike rider is not easy. everything on time. We know the track well. We feel 11 consecutive victories at the start circuit that I really, really What I saw was at first half of the we can make some good times. I thought it would be of the 2019 season, Rea worked his love. I love everything season, he has a lot of experience tough but thanks to God, it was a good start. I had way back to the top with 14 wins about the race: Rea on his bike. He knows the Cham- a good feeling on the bike. We just need to make to seal the championship ahead of pionship, he knows his team, he some changes and do well again. We will see more this week’s final round of the year. knows his bike. They work “I can’t believe it’s the end of there are no external distractions together. They get maximum from Qatari riders in the future. We featured in the Spanish Riding under the another season. While we were in your line of sight. After an each condition,” Bautista said. Championship. We are making sure that we are lights is something able to achieve the target we set amazing weekend in Argentina, “For us, it was new. We did not bringing forward the new generation of riders who at the beginning of the year at the where I felt really competitive have reference from previous really special promise a lot. We have two young guys who have Magny Cours round, there is still with the bike and we worked seasons. Sometimes it was easier because you feel at improved a lot in Spain. One is Abdulla Al Qubaisi and a lot to play for going into this really well as a team in the limited and sometimes we had problems. one with the bike as the other is Hamad Suwaidi, who is just 13, I hope to weekend,” Rea, the five-time practice time, that will be the At the end, I think, we missed the there are no external see them on the world stage soon, if they keep working WorldSBK champion, said ahead same target in Qatar,” Rea said experience with the bike and with distractions in your hard: Qatari rider Saeed Al Sulaiti of the final round which con- about his two wins at the Circuito the championship. More than they line of sight. After an cluded tomorrow under lights at San Juan Villicum in Argentina won the championship, (it was amazing weekend Losail International Circuit (LIC). almost two weeks ago. that) we lost the championship. in Argentina, “We are trying to bring home “To work really well together They got the maximum from each where I felt really the manufacturers’ title for to maximise the potential of the moment. He has a lot of competitive with Qatar’s Al Sulaiti shares his Kawasaki. It is nice to have these Ninja ZX-10RR. Our goal is simple experience. the bike and we targets going into the weekend at – to go out and win some races and “We did well in the first half of worked really well as keys to this weekend’s finale! a circuit that I really, really love. end the season on a high. It has the season, we did well. In the a team in the limited I love everything about the race,” been a real dream season and I am second half, he was able to get practice time, that WWW.WORLDSBK.COM/THE PENINSULA the affable Briton said. really looking forward to the Losail more points as we had bad luck. will be the same DOHA “Riding under the lights is race weekend. Can’t wait to get It was pleasant to fight against the target in Qatar. To something really special because there,” Rea said in a team best. Sure I will try to beat him next work really well The WorldSSP wildcard and former WorldSBK competitor, Qatar’s Saeed Al you feel at one with the bike as statement. time,” Bautista, 34, said. together to maximise Slaiti has plenty of experience around the Losail International Circuit (LIC). the potential of the The action has already been sizzling at the LIC and everyone is out to Ninja ZX-10RR. Our win in this final meeting of 2019, but what will each rider need to do that? goal is simple – to Al Sulaiti (QMMF Racing Team), wildcarding in WorldSSP for the second time go out and win some at his home track, shares his thoughts. races and end the A nighttime extravaganza season on a high. “I’d describe riding here as ‘dancing under the lights’. This is the special It has been a real thing about this track, it’s the only one in which we ride at night time. I hope dream season and everybody enjoys it because it’s a totally different atmosphere.” I am really looking No favourites in the battle for bronze forward to the Losail “The fight for third is between three riders, and two of them are very race weekend. Can’t close friends to me: Michael van der Mark and Toprak Razgatlioglu. I wish wait to get there: both could get third position – let the best man win! To be honest, we noticed Jonathan Rea Toprak was incredibly fast and showing huge improvement. I think he’s the oonn wwhathat hhee closest, in FP1 he was in second position. I think he’s in the right direction, eexpectsxpects but you never know, I’m sure that Michael van der Mark and Alex Lowes will tthishis weeweekk do their best to be in the fight. I hope the best for all of them!” at LILICC Three-way battles are the talk of Qatar “WorldSSP is the most exciting part of the weekend. It’s going to be so difficult, all three riders fighting for the championship are so fast, aggressive… I can’t wait to see the results. It’s a really nice final for WorldSSP.” Not to forget: 5.3km fit for WorldSSP300! “The WorldSSP300 category is great, I’m really happy to see them par- Jonathan Rea, WorldSBK riders and officials pose for a photograph during ticipate here because it also opens a door for a 300 championship for the a visit to Doha Golf Club, yesterday. PICTURE: INSTAGRAM / @JONATHAN_REA younger generation here. Let’s see how it is!” FRIDAY 25 OCTOBER 2019 SPORT 19

Wayside Flower storms to Al Ghariya Cup triumph at QREC

QREC Board member Ahmed Abdulamalik presenting a trophy to jockey Luca Maniezzi, who guided Wayside Flower to Al Ghariya Cup victory at Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club in Al Rayyan Park, yesterday. Wayside Flower secured a prize purse of QR57,000 by winning the title. RIGHT: Wayside Flower on way to victory. QSL Round 8: Qatar SC thrash Umm Salal Al Rayyan keen to continue fine run as Al Khor hold Al Wakrah

THE PENINSULA in Al Arabi clash DOHA

Qatar SC fired five past Umm FAWAD HUSSAIN Salal without brooking any THE PENINSULA response in Week 8 of the 2019-20 QNB Stars League at the The QNB Stars League (QSL) Our team is on a high Al Duhail Stadium yesterday. fixture between Al Rayyan and El Mehdi Barrahma (13th Al Arabi today is not just a game following a series of minute), (63rd), between the two sides, the tie is good results since Abdelnaser El Khayati (90th) and also dubbed as the battle the beginning of this Adel Abdulaziz (90+1) scored the between the fans of the two goals for Qatar SC, who were clubs, known for their season. We have to also helped by an own goal by passionate supporters. play in the same way Umm Salal’s substitute Ismail It is expected to be an elec- in order to achieve Dahqani in the 70th minute. trifying atmosphere at the Al the victory against Al Qatar SC, who badly needed Arabi Stadium, where Al Rayyan points to stay away from danger will play against the home side, Arabi: Diego Aguirre zone, took their tally to six, one seeking to continue brilliant more than Umm Salal. start to the season. history of titles,” said Aguirre. Al It was also the second victory ‘The Lions’ will go into the Arabi also had a decent start to for The Kings, who have been game as a second-placed side the season, occupying fourth showing improvement in per- Qatar SC players celebrate a goal against Umm Salal, yesterday. with 15 points. The Diego place with 13 points from six formance ever since former Aguirre’s side, apart from Al games. Qatar international Wesam Rizik Duhail, is the only team not to Al Arabi coached Heimir took over their coaching reins blocked by Qatar SC goalkeeper The ball possession was also lose a game this season. Hallgrimsson hoped the fan from Spaniard Carlos Alos Ferrer Jassim Al Hail as the first half almost even. Al Wakrah, back in “Our team is on a high fol- support would help take the best recently. drew to a close. the top flight after playing two lowing a series of good results out of his players in the tough Umm Salal had more of the There was no let-up and seasons in the Second Division, since the beginning of this match. ball (60 per cent), but it was Qatar SC added four more goals created more chances compared season. We have to play in the “Al Rayyan are one of the Qatar SC who created more in the second session. to their rivals, but failed to same way in order to achieve the best clubs and we’re playing opportunities and reaped the Rashidov fired in a free-kick YESTERDAY’S RESULTS convert them to goals. victory against Al Arabi,” coach against a team having out- rewards for it. and the own goal followed. Qatar SC bt Umm Salal 5-0 Captain Bruno Uvini held the Aguirre said at a pre-match standing players, such as Yacine To compound their woes, Umm Salal’s Murad Naji had Al Wakrah defence together, press conference yesterday. Brahimi, Abdulaziz Hatem, The Orange Fortress had to play his headed goal disallowed for Al Wakrah draw with Al Khor while Robert Alexander Melki Aguirre, however, warned Rodrigo Tabata and others,” said with 10 men from the 62nd offside in the 85th minute. 0-0 was at the helm of Al Khor rear. Al Arabi will be a difficult side, Hallgrimsson. minute when Rami Fayez was The closing minutes saw Al Khor also had goalkeeper particularly on their home turf. “We know how strong red-carded (second yellow) for Qatar SC pump in two more TODAY’S MATCHES Saoud Al Khater to thank for his “We respect Al Arabi very they’re and we’ve a plan to fouling Qatar SC’s Muattaz goals, with Abdelnasser and Adel 5:20pm: Al Shahania vs Al saves. much. We know that the game contain their key players. There Majed. being on target. Sailiya at Al Ahli Stadium In the first half, Al Wakrah’s will be tough as the opponents were only four days between After Qatar SC opened the Meanwhile at Al Wakrah young talent Mohammed Waad have high-qualityhigh quality players andand thist s gagame e aand d our ou previous p ev ous scoring through Barrahma, who Stadium yesterday, hosts Al 7:30pm: Al Arabi vs Al Rayyan Al Bayati skied a long-range technicaltechnical staff,”staff,” hehe said.said. mmatchatch againstagainst Al Gharafa, so converted a free-kick past the Wakrah and Al Khor played out at Al Arabi Stadium shot and their top scorer “This gamegame has a playersplayers needed to recover outstretched hands of goal- a goalless draw in Week 8 of the Mohamed Benyettou made big importanceimportance for wellwell to be rready.eady. keeper Yazan Naim, Umm Salal’s 2019-20 QNB Stars League at the attempts at the Al Khor goal, ourour teamteam as wellwell “I“I hhopeope our fansfans willwill Victor Vazquez hit the side Al Wakrah Stadium. The teams tried hard to either side of half-time.The Al as ouourr fansfans andand continue to support us netting the very next minute. Al Wakrah now have eight break the deadlock right Khor attacks revolved around also QatQatarar whateverwhatever hhappensappens on thethe Rashidov too hit the side points and Al Khor five. It was throughout given the fact that Tiago Bezerra. The Brazilian footfootballball fanfanss field.field. WeWe prepareprepare tthehe team netting and Umm Salal’s the second drawn result for both they had dropped points in the tried to make inroads into the because bothboth for every game and I Mahmoud Al Mawas had his shot teams. recent rounds, but in vain. rival territory. teamteamss havehave a ppromiseromise tthathat plaplayersyers wiwillll largelarge fan base ffightight to ggetet a positive andand a bigbig result,”r esult, ” said Hallgrimsson.Hallgrimsson. World champion Barshim meets Al Rayyan’s players AlAl Arabi playerplayer Pierre-MichelPierre-Michel Lassoga said: “I think,think, as the coachcoach said,said, we’re pre-pre- paring fforor a ddifficultifficult game againstagainst a strongstrong team. For me,me, as a forward,forward, it’llit’ll bebe more difficultdifficult bbecauseecause II’ve’ve to defend with my team-mates, especiallyespecially ssinceince we were uunablenable to score against AAll Gharafa althoughalthough we created many opportunities.”opportunities.” TheThe matchmatch will kickkick offoff at 7:30pm7:30pm aafterfter AAll SShahaniahahania anandd AlAl SailiyaSailiya willwill square offoff at AlAl Ahli Stadium at 5:20pm.5:20pm. Al Rayyan’s Rodrigo Tabata Mutaz Essa Barshim (centre), who recently retained his world high jump title at the IAAF World Athletics Championships Doha 2019, poses for a group photo with Al Rayyan’s players during their training session, ahead of their QSL match against Al Arabi. SPORT

PAGE | 17 PAGE | 18 Tiger roars back Still a lot to after horror start play for, says to share lead WorldSBK in Japan champion Rea

Friday 25 October 2019 Qatar jump to 57th to host expanded spot in FIFA rankings

QNA ZURICH

Club World Cup in 2021 Asian champions Qatar jumped five places to 57th in the world and Belgium continued to lead, according AFP Club World Cup -- “a to the latest FIFA rankings issued yesterday. SHANGHAI childhood dream”, said The Belgian team maintained the lead with 1,755 Infantino -- was approved at points, followed by world champions France (1,276 China will host the inaugural a FIFA Council meeting in points), and Brazil in third place (1,715). edition of the expanded It is a historic Miami in March despite On the Asian continent, Iran remain at the top 24-team Club World Cup, decision for opposition from UEFA and and 27th globally. Japan are second and 28 globally, FIFA President Gianni football. It will be a the powerful European Club followed by South Korea who came third and 39th Infantino said yesterday, competition which Association. in the world. Australia are ranked fourth and 44th in hailing it as a “historic It will take place every the overall rankings and Qatar are fifth in Asia and decision”. every person, every four years and replaces the 57th globally after rising five places. FIFA’s choice underlines child and everyone Confederations Cup, an inter- China’s growing clout in who loves football national competition that football and could be a pre- is looking forward acted as a test event for coun- cursor to the country even- tries hosting a World Cup. Qatar win gold tually hosting the World Cup to: Infantino FIFA also will double the proper. funding allocated for Infantino made the women’s football to $1bn announcement after a “It is a historic decision over the next four years after meeting in Shanghai of the for football,” he said. the Council rubber-stamped FIFA President Gianni Infantino holding a ball while speaking FIFA Council, the decision- “It will be a competition plans already announced by at a press conference held in Shanghai, yesterday. FIFA has making unit of football’s which every person, every Infantino. world governing body. child and everyone who loves awarded the inaugural edition of its expanded 24-team “The Council decided to It will mean many of the football is looking forward to.” Club World Cup to China, the Association’s President Gianni put 500 million in addition biggest club teams -- The FIFA chief said in Infantino announced yesterday. to the 500 million already including eight from Europe June that his new Club World budgeted,” he said. -- descending on China in Cup could generate as much The current Club World two tournaments as logistical Since the Women’s June-July 2021. as $50bn in commercial Cup features seven teams tests for stadiums and infra- World Cup in France in the Infantino confirmed that income, although he did not including the holders of the structure ahead of the 2022 summer, “women’s football China, which has made state how many editions that UEFA Champions League. edition of the World Cup, has moved to the next level, football a national priority would cover and a source Qatar will host the compe- FIFA’s flagship international we need to work on that, under President Xi Jinping, had said the figure was “scarcely tition this year and in 2020. competition. build on that”, said been the only candidate. credible”. The Gulf state will use the The plan for a revamped Infantino. Qatar go down fighting in thrilling semi-final

THE PENINSULA A Qatari player prepares to shoot against DOHA bahrain during the semi-final of the their AHF Men’s Asian Qualification event for Qatar yesterday went down fighting Tokyo Olympic Games at the Al Duhail to Bahrain in their Asian Men’s Indoor Arena, yesterday. Handball Olympic Qualification PICTURE: TWITTER / Tournament semi-final match at the @QATARHANDBALL Al Duhail Indoor Stadium yesterday. The hosts who looked in good Team Qatar won the gold medal of the basketball form since the beginning of the tour- competition during the 6th GCC Women’s Games after nament, lost by a margin of just two defeating UAE 57-54 in the final in Kuwait, yesterday. points (28-26) after a thrilling match Qatari women remained unbeaten throughout the in front of a decent crowd. event by beating Saudi Arabia 61-38 and Bahrain Qatar reached the semis fol- 74-64 on their way to the final. Also yesterday, Qatari lowing an impressive display of table tennis players beat Kuwait 3-0 in their opening quality handball in the group stage, match of the team event. beating all three of their opponents. Al Annabi prevailed over Saudi Arabia (29-20), (49-19) and India (40-10) in their Group A Sharma to lead matches. Yesterday’s loss also means that Qatar have lost the chance to get India as Kohli rested direct qualification to next year’s Olympics. for Bangladesh T20s Only the winners of the Doha event will receive a direct ticket to AFP Tokyo Games while the runner-up MUMBAI will have to play in one of the three Men’s Olympic Qualification Tour- India have left out captain Virat Kohli from the squad naments next year. named for three Twenty20 internationals against Al Annabi will meet Saudi Bangladesh starting next month, but he will return Arabia in the third place play-off for two Tests between the South Asian neighbours. tomorrow. Senior batsman Rohit Sharma will captain the Twenty20 team in the limited-overs series due to begin on November 3 in Delhi. Roger Federer hits Uncapped allrounder Shivam Dube has been Federer storms into Swiss Indoors quarters a return during the drafted into the squad in place of injured Hardik Swiss Indoors tennis Pandya, while Sanju Samson and leg-spinner Yuzv- AP Wawrinka beat Pablo Cuevas 6-3, 6-4, tournament in Basel. endra Chahal have been recalled. BASEL and Tiafoe won 6-4, 6-2 against Dan Evans. Bangladesh had threatened to call off the tour In a first-round match, sixth-seeded David over a domestic pay dispute, but the national board Roger Federer eased to a 6-0, 6-3 win over Goffin won 6-4, 6-4 against unseeded Marin and players resolved their differences on Wednesday. 49th-ranked Radu Albot in the second round Cilic, the Basel champion in 2016 when The second T20 is on November 7 in Rajkot and of the Swiss Indoors on Wednesday. Federer was injured. Goffin is currently 10th the third on November 9 in Nagpur. The top-seeded Federer had to save two in the points race to qualify for the eight-man T20 SQUAD: Rohit Sharma (capt), Shikhar break points in the first set on his way to ATP Finals in next month. Dhawan, KL Rahul, Sanju Samson, Shreyas Iyer, sweeping the first eight games of the match. Wild-card entry Alex de Minaur Manish Pandey, Rishabh Pant, Washington Sundar, Seeking a 10th title at his hometown event, advanced to the quarter-finals by Krunal Pandya, Yuzvendra Chahal, Rahul Chahar, Federer has spent less than two hours com- beating 31st-ranked American Deepak Chahar, Khaleel Ahmed, Shivam Dube, bined on court for his two match wins so far Taylor Fritz 6-3, 6-3. The 28th- Shardul Thakur this week. ranked Australian next plays Jan- TEST SQUAD: Virat Kohli (capt), Rohit Sharma, In today’s quarter-finals, Federer will play Lennard Struff of Germany, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, fellow Swiss Stan Wawrinka or Francis Tiafoe ensuring at least one Hanuma Vihari, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Ravindra of the United States, who both had straight- unseeded player will be Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, set wins on Wednesday. in the semi-finals. Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant