NNBABA | Page 5 FFOOTBALLOOTBALL | Page 6 Siakam Al Sadd shines as clinch 2-2 draw Raptors beat against Al Nassr Wolves in Riyadh Wednesday, February 12, 2020 CRICKET Jumada II 18, 1441 AH Grandhomme GULF TIMES blitz helps NZ sweep ODI series SPORT Page 4 NATIONAL SPORT DAY CELEBRATIONS Qatar Olympic Committee President HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani plays a game of volleyball during the National Sport Day celebrations at the Sports Village at Msheireb yesterday. At right, QOC Secretary-General Jassim al-Buenain tries his hand at table tennis. See also Pages 2 and 3 AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Mandzukic strikes for Al Duhail Coach Walid Regragui’s men settled the tie inside the first 15 minutes with a quick double-salvo AFC Doha ario Mandzukic opened his 2020 AFC Champions League Maccount as Qatar’s Al Duhail SC defeated Persepolis of the Islamic Republic of Iran 2-0 at Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium in Group C yesterday. Coach Walid Regragui’s men settled the tie inside the fi rst 15 minutes with a quick double-salvo. With just fi ve minutes gone, Almoez Ali’s persistence coupled with a lack of discipline from Persepolis defender al- lowed Mandzukic to get his fi rst goal in Asia’s prime club competition. The Iranian defenders stopped play- ing and protested an alleged shove by the Croatian as the ball fell to Ali who caught it before it went out of play, then crossed for Mandzukic who was left with a simple header from close range to open the scoring. In the 13th minute, Al Duhail were again the more alert of the two sides, capitalising on another defensive mis- Al Duhail’s Mario take as Han Kwang-song collected the Mandzukic celebrates loose ball at the edge of the area and set scoring against Iran’s up Edmilson with a deft through pass. Persepolis yesterday. The Brazilian fi red low with his left to PICTURE: Noushad put the game beyond doubt with less Thekkayil than a quarter of an hour played. Caught in between attempting to equalise and being cautious of in- creased damage, Persepolis were far from their best. Their sole clear-cut chance of the fi rst half was a header from centre-back Shojae Khalilzadeh Substitute Anthony Stokes was match, with Al Taawoun second with that narrowly missed the target. close to scoring on his continental three points. Meanwhile, Sharjah and As the second half wore off , Perse- debut on two occasions, but his fi rst Persepolis occupy the last two spots polis’ chances began becoming more eff ort was off target and the second respectively. serious and Ighodaro Osaguona nearly forced a fi ne Lecomte save to deny Persepolis travel to Sharjah next scored from Ahmad Noorollahi’s cross, him and keep the score at 2-0. The week, while Al Duhail make the trip but the Nigerian’s eff ort was saved by result means Al Duhail top Group C west to Buraidah were they face Al Taa- goalkeeper Amine Lecomte. after all teams had played their fi rst woun on Matchday Two. Gulf Times 2 Wednesday, February 12, 2020 SPORT NATIONAL SPORT DAY Qatar celebrates sport FromFrom offoff icials to children, sport brought a smile and energy to all By Mikhil Bhat Doha atar Olympic Committee’s second vice-president Dr Thani Abdulrahman al- Kuwari, along with former Qfootballer Mubarak Mustafa and former basketball player Hashem Zaidan, were up against the likes of former Qatar basketball captain Ya- seen Ismail Musa and former foot- baller Adel Khamis in an impromptu basketball contest yesterday. As Musa and Zaidan dunked three-pointers with ease for their respective teams, the other protago- nists pitched in with their best with a few two-pointers, their passing game, and an occasional wink and a nod here and there in an attempt to send their opponents the wrong way. At some point during the game, HE Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, Assistant to the Chief of the Amiri Diwan, QOC Secretary-General Jassim the six-feet-eight-inch Musa closed al-Buenain, QOC Second Vice-President Dr Thani al-Kuwari, and other off icials and sports personalities take part in a in on the basket with al-Kuwari try- fun run from the Sports Village at Msheireb as part of Qatar National Sport Day 2020 yesterday. ing his best to defend. And defend he did as al-Kuwari managed to take HE Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrah- football team that lifted the Asian The 39-year-old even got talking the ball off him with sounds of ap- man al-Thani, Assistant to Chief Cup in the UAE about his game with al-Kuwari earli- proval from those who had gathered of Amiri Diwan and former QOC er. “This is probably the third time around, while the two themselves secretary-general, was in the front that he and I shared smiles before resuming the leading 100s of participants along game. with the other offi cials in a fun run From across the basketball court, a around the lanes of the Downtown young participant was trying hard to Doha. Minutes earlier, it was Team set a personal best in long jump, sand Qatar athlete Mariam Farid who had and all on his clothes and limbs. guided the participants through a Next door, the volleyball court warm-up session. saw some offi cials, including QOC There was nothing offi cial about Director of Sport and Qatar Swim- any of these matches, but the inten- ming Association president Khalil sity and determination was clear al-Jaber, having a go in yet another and present. Sport and competi- impromptu contest. tion does that to you. Challenges The table tennis area saw offi cials you, pushes you to do better. including QOC secretary-general First celebrated in 2012, Na- Jassim al-Buenain locked in a game. tional Sport Day is Qatar’s eff orts At the far end, trainers gave demos to push its citizens and residents of take-downs in the wrestling area into a more active lifestyle that as young teens got together with a helps in human development. To smile for a shot at the sport. There this end, the second Tuesday of were more demos in the judo area, February is even a public holi- while makeshift mini golf set-ups day with the numerous state- QOC Director of Sport and Qatar Swimming Association president Khalil had kids trying their best for hole- of-the-art sports facilities, al-Jaber (right) takes part in a basketball game yesterday. in-one eff orts. parks, gardens, etc hosting var- A boxing ring saw kids and adults ious sports activities, helping people alike throwing punches at each oth- embrace fi t and healthy lifestyles. last year. er, while there were further demon- Focus on sport has helped push The likes of Akram Afi f and Al- strations for muay-thai. A few young Qatar on to the world map. Besides moez Ali have wowed the crowds played basketball, and he is a boxers were even lucky enough to hosting world-class world over with their prowess on the fun basketballer. He told me used to have Her Highness Sheikha Moza events, Qatari football pitch. play in the US when he was study- bint Nasser in the au- athletes have Abderrahman Samba became only ing there. He has the background, dience. earned laurels the second man after world record- the skill, foundations. We enjoyed... in the world holder Kevin Young to dip under 47 Also there were some footballers of sport. seconds in 400m hurdles. Abdulla too, Mubarak Mustafa, Adel Khamis. Whether it is al-Tamimi has been among the top When you play against people from Mutaz Essa squash players in the world. other sports, it is always fun,” he Barshim, Barshim was as enthusiastic, if not said. who won more, as those who got to run with Al-Jaber was pleased with the world him or play basketball with him. turnout for celebration of sport. champi- “This is amazing. It is a big day “I would like to thank Msheireb onship and everyone is so happy. To me for giving us this place, to be our gold in as a sportsperson, it feels like Eid. partners. We are really so happy and front And I am happy that everybody got be here with all the federations. I am of his up early in the morning, wearing so happy to see a lot of attendance, home their sports clothes, and got ac- and seeing them enjoy themselves,” crowd tive, it’s amazing. I was running, he said. “I played basketball, vol- last cycling, basketball, volleyball, it’s leyball and other sports today, and year, about being active for me. Enjoying I hope people are feel encouraged to or the every bit of it,” he told Gulf Times get into sport.” Qatar yesterday. As for al-Kuwari, a childlike smile na- Musa echoed the thoughts. was all over him after the basketball tion- “For me, it is fun. There are peo- game. “Sport Day you have to smile. I al ple who don’t usually play sport, and won, my team won, that’s great. This Former Qatar basketball player Yaseen Ismail Musa (also right with Qatar Olympic then this day gets you interested, you victory is for one year. Next Sport Committee second vice-president Dr Thani al-Kuwari) helps a kid score a basket at the get to inspire people,” the former Al Day, I will challenge them again. I Sport Village in Msheireb yesterday.