PSG Reach Semis After Stunning Comeback
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SPORT SPORT | 18 SPORT | 19 Question Paris Anderson at your Saint-Germain own peril, says marks 50th England's Root anniversary THURSDAY 13 AUGUST 2020 Paris Saint-Germain's Qatar 2022 players celebrate after Marquinhos qualifiers PSG reach semis after scored their first goal during the Champions League quarter- postponed final match against Atalanta, yesterday. until next year stunning comeback REUTERS – KUALA LUMPUR REUTERS – LISBON than planned after forward Angel Cor- Qualifying matches in Asia rea and defender Sime Vrsjalko tested for the 2022 Qatar World Paris Saint-Germain staged a superb positive for the virus. Cup have been postponed comeback by scoring two late goals The pair have been ordered to iso- until next year due to the to beat Atalanta 2-1 and book a spot late at home and will undergo further coronavirus pandemic, in the Champions League semi-finals tests on Thursday to determine whether world governing body FIFA after a thrilling finish yesterday. they can join the squad should Atleti and the Asian Football Atalanta’s superb display looked reach the semi-finals. Confederation said in a like dumping PSG out of the compe- "It's a strange situation but we're statement yesterday. tition but Marquinhos levelled from here and we're going to play a match. The second round of close range in the final minute before It's something new for everyone, it's a Asian qualifiers were origi- Frenchman Kylian Mbappe set up difficult situation all around the world nally scheduled to take place fellow substitute Eric Maxim Choupo- but we're professionals," Oblak told a during the international Moting for a stoppage-time winner. virtual news conference on Wednesday. windows in October and With Mbappe starting on the "We've come here to play and we've November but they would not bench after an ankle injury, the cre- got a very important game and so we're go ahead due to the “COVID-19 ative burden fell on Brazilian forward not thinking about anything else other situation in many countries”. Neymar, and he blasted an early effort than the game. What happens on Thurs- It marks the second time over with the goal at his mercy. day is all that counts." the qualifiers, which also serve Despite the gulf in finances Atletico have reached the Cham- as the road to the 2023 Asian between the clubs -- PSG spent more pions League final twice in the last six Cup in China, have been on Neymar and Mbappe than Atalanta seasons while Leipzig have never got pushed back as matches in had paid for players in total since to the last eight before, but Oblak said March and June were also 2001-02 -- the Italians led through he did not think that gave his side any postponed due to the Mario Pasalic who curled the ball edge over the German outfit. pandemic. home superbly in the 27th minute. Atletico coach Diego Simeone sent “With the aim of protecting But PSG’s late show took Thomas his best wishes to his two absent players the health and safety of all par- Tuchel’s side through to the last four and said everyone on the pitch would ticipants, FIFA and the AFC as the weary Atalanta players slumped be fully focused. will continue to work together to the turf. "I hope we can get Correa and to closely monitor the situation Today, Atletico Madrid will meet Vrsjalko back if we stay in the com- in the region and to identify RB Leipzig in the second petition. They have given their hearts new dates for the respective quarter-final. for the team whenever they have been qualifying matches,” the Atletico Madrid have overcome the called upon," he added. statement said. shock of two players testing positive "We want our players to take the Qatar will be the regional for COVID-19 ahead of their trip to the game by the scruff of the neck to try and hub for matches in West Asia Champions League 'Final Eight' and harm our opponents. This is a beauti- when the ACL resumes on are fully focused today's match, goal- ful competition and we are very excited September 14. keeper Jan Oblak said. to be in it. In a game like this winning Malaysia was named the Atletico were forced to travel to Lis- isn't just important, it's the only thing centralised hub in East Asia bon for the mini-tournament a day later that matters." with matches in the region due to restart in October. 'Love'Lo It Like The First Time' QSL: Xavi aware of Qatar SC beINbe SPORTS threat in ‘very important’ clash launchesla major FAWAD HUSSAIN globalgl media THE PENINSULA Al Sadd’s shock 3-0 loss to WEEK 21 FIXTURES campaignca Qatar SC in the first leg is still TODAY in coach Xavi Hernandez’ s Al Sailiya vs Al Arabi THETHE PENINSULA – DOHA mind as the two teams (16:00, Al Janoub Stadium) square off in the penultimate Al Ahli vs Al Wakrah beINbeIN SPORTS yesterday launched a major round of the QNB Stars (19:30, Al Janoub Stadium) internationalinte media campaign – called “Love League (QSL), which will see Qatar SC vs Al Sadd ItIt LikeL The First Time” – for fans to celebrate the gradual return of fans to (19:30, Al Sadd Stadium) newnew football seasons across the world. the stadiums today. Love It Like The First Time is the first Defending champions Al TOMORROW globalglo campaign beIN has launched across Sadd have shown phe- Umm Salal vs Al Gharafa its entiree international network of 43 coun- nomenal form since the QSL (16:00, Al Janoub Stadium) triestrie across five continents, including the resumed after the COVID-19 Al Shahania vs Al Rayyan MiddleMi East and North Africa (MENA), Asia- break, winning all their three (19:30, Al Janoub Stadium) Pacific,P France, Turkey and North America. matches but their chances The unifying and positive campaign Al Duhail vs Al Khor of retaining the crown are celebratesc a fresh start for football across (19:30, Al Sadd Stadium) slim even if they win their thet globe following the disruption to the remaining matches. 2019-2020 seasons caused by COVID-19. The Wolves are third in “Al Sadd are a big team AsA Ligue 1 returns to screens on August 21, the points standings with 41 and one of the best in Qatar. andand newn seasons launching for the first time points, four points behind Al Sadd's coach Xavi Hernandez They have strong players, everever in September for the Premier League second-placed Al Rayyan, such as Rodrigo Tabata and (September(Sep 12), LaLiga (September 12) and who are trailing table Hassan Al Haydos, and we SerieSerie A (September 19), fans will feel the sheer toppers Al Duhail by a single points, but it will be very dif- with the team’s performance must be up to the challenge,” joy ofo football returning just like the first time point. For ninth-placed ficult because Qatar SC are and everyone made great said Wesner. theythey ever fell in love with the world’s biggest Qatar SC, who are in danger still in the danger zone and efforts. We played collec- “In football, we should game.gam zone with 19 points, today’s therefore they will be in tively with fighting spirit and always prepare at the best JJonathan Whitehead, Head of Sports for tie at Al Sadd Stadium is also fighting mood. They are an our attack was very excellent level to achieve the desired beINbeIN MENA, said: “Every fan remembers the crucial. organised team under from the start of the match results, and we must attach firstfirst time that they fell in love with football: Al Sadd will be returning Wesam Rizik,” he added. till the 60th or 70th minute. required importance to the thethe firstf time that they punched the air whilst to action after a 1-0 win over Speaking on Al Sadd’s We may face Al Duhail in the remaining points on offer celebratingceleb a goal, experienced sheer joy at Al Duhail but Xavi said Qatar recent performance, the AFC Champions League as even though we played dif- theirtheir team lifting a trophy, or even screamed SC will be tough to beat. coach said he is content with well, so I’m very happy.” ficult matches recently. We at theth television after a bad red card decision. “The game against Qatar his team’s winning form. Qatar SC goalkeeping must continue and play AfterAfter the devastating COVID-19 pandemic and SC will be very difficult. We “I am very happy with coach Wesner believed his with a winning mentality strangestran finish to last season, over the next few had lost (to them) in the first the victory over Al Duhail side can pull off a victory and do everything we can weeksweek we’ll be delighted to see the return of leg. The match is very and I think that during the against Al Sadd again despite to win. And why not?,” he premiumprem European football exclusively to important for us because we last six matches against Al going into the game as added. bbeINeIN SPORTS for a brand new season, seek to increase pressure on Duhail, we had four wins, underdogs. Today’s other games will includinginclu the Premier League, LaLiga, Ligue Al Duhail and Al Rayyan,” one draw and a loss, and this “A very tough match see Al Ahli clashing with Al 1 andand Serie A. This is a fresh start and the Al Sadd's Rodrigo Tabata with Xavi told a pre-match press means we have the ability to awaits us.