Rashid Khan leads Afghanistan to famous Test win over Bangladesh TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2019 PAGE 14 Trailblazing technology to give fans a fresh view WORLD/ASIAN CUP QUALIFIERS of IAAF World Championships Doha 2019 PAGE 14 Qatar vs India (7.30pm) FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group E and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 Qualifiers HE Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed al Thani, President of Qatar Football Association, attended the national team’s Qatar players train ahead of the clash with India at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium. training session at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Monday. Sanchez exudes confidence as Qatar gear up for India challenge AYENI OLUSEGUN DOHA Blue Tigers’ coach proud of team AFTER a magnificent 6-0 per- formance against Afghanistan last Thursday, Qatar will face a different challenge in India but also realistic about chances from a cricket-mad nation in the FIFA World Cup Qa- AYENI OLUSEGUN national football stage in the tar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup DOHA 1950s and 60s. A resurgence 2023 Joint Qualifier at the though, is on the cards, but Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium INDIA national team’s coach their inspirational captain and on Tuesday. Igor Stimac said he’s happy the country top scorer with Against the Afghans – with his team’s progress de- 76 international goals Sunil Almoez Ali’s hat-trick and spite a disappointing loss at Chhetri is already 35. goals from Hassan Haydos, Qatar coach Felix Sanchez during the media conference ahead of the home to Oman in the opening “We have our aims, but Abdelkarim Hassan and clash against India at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Monday. Group E FIFA World Cup Qa- football is a game where you Boualem Khoukhi ensured tar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup can’t make miracles overnight. the Asian champions didn’t told reporters on Monday. working to get to this level,” China 2023 qualifier. Whoever doesn’t understand skip a beat. The win was only “We won’t introduce any- Sanchez added. “As a coach, I’m happy how that shouldn’t be in the sport. their first in four games af- thing new to our team. We will Al Annabi last played the the players learn and perform India’s coach Croatian Igor Stimac at the press conference on Monday. We are working to develop ter a tough loss to Brazil in a play to our strength and skillset, Blue Tigers in November, 2010 on the field. It wasn’t easy to more young players. For now friendly and two defeats and a and hopefully we get the maxi- in the Asian Games, grind- change the playing style be- Cup. The Croatian who last pretty well. When I was here we will try to get to the final draw at the Copa America. mum results against a team that ing out a 2-1 result. However, cause the team passes the ball coached Qatar club Al Shaha- with Al Shahania, I studied stages of the Asian Cup. We Despite the masterclass promises to be difficult to beat.” this is a new team with more more and we are more techni- nia also said he is realistic about the teams. Maybe the differ- know Qatar is above everyone against Afghanistan, coach The Spaniard also praised talent and a will to be the best cal. Against Oman, we created his team’s chances against the ence between us both is big else in the group, but we need Felix Sanchez says his team al- his players for their commit- in Asia. Midfielder Abdulaziz chances but maybe experience Asian champions Qatar. but in football you never give to play well against Oman, ways need to improve in every ment and work ethic. Hatem who was on the bench is missing which will come “We know that Qatar at up, you do your best. It’s not Bangladesh and Afghanistan to game as they have a target on “I think we have the play- against Afghanistan was quick with games, but I’m happy. the moment are far in front of necessary to talk about the have a chance,” Stimac added. their back as Asian champions. ers which is the most impor- to play down talks of over con- The most important is that teams in Asia. They had a won- Qatari players, they can play Meanwhile, India’s goal- “Tomorrow we play our tant thing and this is a short fidence in the national team. our supporters are very happy derful tournament in South with European teams now keeper Gurpreet Singh Sand- second qualifier, we are ready competition. They have very “We play a key game and as with us. The players make me America once again proving and their strength, speed hu noted that the loss against to face a new challenge. It will good qualities which led us to the coach said it’s a short com- proud and I try not to push they have grown up. It’s still and technical ability is great. Oman will be an added moti- be a tough one and we’ll try to the Asian Cup title. Our work petition and we need to put in a them too hard so they can eas- early days for the Indian team, When I look now and study vation for the team. get the result we are looking for. is to develop and keep improv- good performance. We hope we ily accept what I tell them,” the we haven’t had much time to Qatari team, it’s difficult to “Not getting the desired We analysed their (India) pre- ing and to qualify for the Asian won’t be too confident as it is an Croatian said on Monday. work together unlike what Qa- find any weaknesses,” the result against Oman was un- vious game against Oman and Cup in 2023. The target obvi- important game. As champions Stimac was appointed tar have been doing in the last 52-year-old added. fair for us. But as a player, you we respect the team they have, ously before the Asian Cup is our performance should be ex- coach of the Blue Tigers in May eight years, putting structures India, known more for have to move on and we hope but we are confident of our to have a strong team for 2022 cellent in every game we play,” this year after India endured a in place. their prowess in cricket, last to make a good show of our- chances tomorrow,” Sanchez World Cup, so we need to keep the Al Rayyan player said. miserable run in the 2019 Asian “I know the Qatar players enjoyed success on the inter- selves against Qatar.” Penalty save sees Liberia through to group phase of World Cup qualifiers REUTERS kick was easily stopped by extra time before Burundi JOHANNESBURG A last-gasp penalty save by 18-year-old Williams to en- missed all their kicks in the teenage goalkeeper Ashley sure Liberia’s progress. post-match penalty shootout, LIBERIA needed a last-gasp Williams ensured Liberia Ethiopia drew 1-1 away which Tanzania won 3-0. penalty save, Ethiopia an own advanced 3-2 on aggregate against Lesotho in Maseru Equatorial Guinea captain goal, Tanzania shoot-out pen- over neighbours Sierra where home captain Nkau Emilio Nsue, formerly of Mid- alties and Equatorial Guinea a Lerotholi’s own goal early in dlesbrough and Birmingham late strike to all win their World Leone, despite losing 1-0. the second half provided the City, scored the 72nd minute Cup first round ties on Sunday visitors with the vital away winner in his side’s 1-0 win at and advance to the group phase advanced 3-2 on aggregate over goal in a 1-1 aggregate draw. home to South Sudan in Ma- of the qualifiers for Qatar 2022. neighbours Sierra Leone, de- Tanzania made heavy labo. The 2-1 aggregate victory The quartet are the first na- spite losing 1-0 in Freetown. weather of their tie against Bu- proved a lot tougher than ex- tions through from the open- Sierra Leone reduced the rundi after drawing 1-1 away pected for Equatorial Guinea, ing knockout round, which aggregate deficit through in the first leg last Wednesday. who had beaten the same team pits the 28 bottom-ranked Kei Kamara after 55 minutes They were ahead in Sun- 4-0 when they last hosted them countries on the continent in of Sunday’s second leg and day’s return leg in Dar-es-Sa- three years ago. The remaining two-legged knockout ties. would have won the tie on laam through Belgian-based 10 first round qualifying ties will A last-gasp penalty save by the away goal rule if they had Mbwana Samatta but gave up be settled on Tuesday. The win- teenage goalkeeper Ashley Wil- scored the penalty in stoppage an equaliser to Fiston Abdul ners advance to the group phase liams ensured Liberia, coached time at the end of the match. Razak on the stroke of halftime. where 40 countries will be di- Tanzania fans during their home match with Burundi. (Tanzania Football Federation) by Englishman Peter Butler, But captain Umaru Bangura’s The match then went into vided into 10 groups. Sports Tuesday, September 10, 2019 13 Nadal outlasts Medvedev to claim 19th Grand Slam title at US Open Spaniard southpaw edges fighting young Russian in five-set thriller AFP the 2005 Australian Open and The way that the NEW YORK the first Russian to win the US match became very Open since Safin in 2000.