Sport MONDAY 14 SEPTEMBER 2020 08 Pogacar outpaces Roglic as Bernal cracks at Tour

COL DU GRAND REUTERS — Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia, wearing the white COLOMBIER, FRANCE jersey for best young rider, crosses the finish line to win the stage, yesterday. Tadej Pogacar beat fellow Slov- enian and overall leader Primoz Roglic to win the 15th stage of the Tour de France as defending champion Egan Bernal all but LeBron James (left) of the Los Angeles Lakers drives the ball abandoned his crown after a against James Harden of the Houston Rockets during Game Five brutal failure yesterday. of the Western Conference Second Round. The Colombian was dropped 13km from the finish at the top of the Col du Grand Colombier, an unforgiving Los Angeles Lakers 17.4-km ascent at an average gradient of 7.1%, and lost seven minutes 20 seconds on the line. rout Rockets, enter Two-time runner-up and fellow Colombian Nairo Quintana also quickly lost NBA West finals contact with the leading group led by Roglic’s Jumbo-Visma AFP — MIAMI out-scored the Rockets team-mates, who set a frantic 33-18 in the third quarter to tempo from the bottom of the LeBron James had 29 points take full command. They climb. and 11 rebounds as the Los drained 19 three pointers Pogacar, however, was the race and set super high temp. formerly known at Team Sky, chance,” said Pogacar. There Angeles Lakers advanced to and shot 52 percent from the freshest man in the finale as he A lot of riders were dropped will not win the Tour for the was no coming back for the their first NBA Western floor. outsprinted Roglic for the and I wanted to focus on the first time since Chris Froome Colombian, who was paced up Conference final in a decade With the game in hand, victory at the end of a punishing finale,” said the 21-year-old crashed out in 2014. to the line by team-mate Michal with a 119-96 blowout win the Lakers sat three-time 174.5-km trek in the Jura moun- Pogacar. They had won all the other Kwiatkowski. over the Houston Rockets on NBA champion James and tains, confirming he was the Australian Richie Porte took editions since Bradley Wiggins Adam Yates was the only Saturday. Davis for much of the fourth odds-on favourite’s main rival. third place, at 35 enjoying a became the first British winner rider to attack, seven kilometres Anthony Davis tallied 13 quarter. “Tadej is very strong, I have sweet resurgence on the Tour. of the race in 2012. from the summit, but the points and 11 rebounds, Kyle Once again the James to say he has great legs. My Roglic leads Pogacar by 40 Bernal had been looking Briton’s effort was short-lived Kuzma had 17 and Markieff Harden-led Rockets put up team-mates did a great job seconds and Colombian Rig- under par in the first part of the as he was reined in seemingly Morris finished with 16 for little resistance as Houston, today as I really wanted to win oberto Uran by 1:34 as the race race and Sunday’s stage con- effortlessly by the Jumbo-Visma the Lakers, who eliminated after surprising the Lakers but I have to admit Tadej was is turning into an all-Slovenian firmed that impression as the led pack one kilometre further. the Rockets in five games in in game one of the series, slightly stronger,” said Roglic, affair following Bernal’s 23-year-old zig-zagged up the In the final 300 metres, the quarantine bubble in lost their fourth straight and who still had the support of disappearance. road, sweat dripping from his Porte launched the sprint but Orlando, Florida. third in a row by more than team-mates Tom Dumoulin and Bernal, who was third face, while Jumbo-Visma’s Roglic and Pogacar followed Los Angeles advanced to 10 points. Sepp Kuss with two kilometres overall 59 seconds off the pace Wout van Aert pulled the easily and the younger Slov- their first NBA final four Harden led the Rockets to go. before the start in Lyon, shrinking peloton. enian prevailed to win his since the Kobe Bryant-led with 30 points and Russell “Today was a tough day, dropped out of the top 10, “They were setting a really second stage on his Tour Lakers beat Phoenix for the Westbrook scored just 10 in Jumbo-Visma controlled the meaning Ineos-Grenadiers, high pace. Nobody stood a debut. conference title and then the loss. Harden had a dis- defeated Boston for the 2010 appointing series, delivering NBA championship, the last another series of fourth time they won. quarter play-off disap- They will face either the pearing acts that have pock- German Olympic boxing team hit by virus Los Angeles Clippers or the marked his career. Denver Nuggets in the next In the past five years, play-off round. The Clippers Harden has shot less than 25 AFP — BERLIN The group, made can even keep training,” team’s first foray abroad since lead that series 3-2. percent from beyond the arc up of 18 boxers and Mueller said. the start of the pandemic. The Lakers got off to in post-season fourth The German Boxing Federation seven other staff The athletes’ conditions are German media were quick their best start of the series, quarters and overtime. He yesterday reported that a “large members, must now being carefully monitored and to point out that the boxers dominating the opening 12 finished two-of-eight from part” of its 25-strong Tokyo remain in quarantine they should be allowed to were staying at the same minutes to take a 15 point three-point range on Olympic Games team has at the training camp in return home in the coming Laengenfeld hotel where Bun- lead, 35-20, at the end of the Saturday. contracted COVID-19 while week, he added. desliga football team Schalke Laengenfeld in Tirol, first quarter. The Rockets were training in the Austrian Alps.. German weekly Der Spiegel 04 stayed in late August, and Their only lull of the missing Danuel House who The group, made up of 18 says DBV director had earlier reported that the that one of their players also game came in the start of the was booted from the NBA boxers and seven other staff Michael Mueller. boxers, who are training for the tested positive for the corona- second quarter when quarantine bubble after a members, must now remain in postponed Tokyo Olympics, virus while there. Houston briefly woke from league investigation quarantine at the training camp team” was affected but that started showing signs of a cold The 2020 Games were post- their slumber and cut the revealed he violated in Laengenfeld in Tirol, DBV everyone was doing well so far. on Tuesday before suspicions poned in a historic decision lead to seven, 38-31. “campus health and safety” director Michael Mueller said. “The boxers are now in of COVID-19 were confirmed earlier this year because of the But the Lakers protocols. Without specifying numbers quarantine. They aren’t on Wednesday. pandemic, and they are now set he said “a large part of the showing strong symptoms and The training camp was the to open on July 23, 2021. Henderson, Korda share ANA Inspiration lead in California

REUTERS — RANCHO MIRAGE, CALIFORNIA

Canada’s reeled off an eagle and six birdies to card a seven-under 65 on Saturday and join at the top of the leader- board heading into the final round of the ANA Inspiration. Henderson started the day six shots behind overnight leader Korda but quickly erased the deficit with an eagle at the second followed by birdies at the fourth, sixth, seventh and ninth holes as she tied a Mission Hills record with a 30 on the front nine. Brooke Henderson of Canada A bogey at the 13th tripped in action during the third her up but she recovered with round of the ANA Inspiration another birdie at the 16th. at the Dinah Shore course at “I was just trying to move Mission Hills Country Club in up as much as I could, make a Rancho Mirage, California. lot of birdies,” said Henderson, who is chasing her second major title. “I’m definitely really bogey at the fifth and a double- nine to card a one-under 71 and happy with this.” bogey at the sixth. join Henderson on 12-under 204, Korda began the round with The 22-year-old American, setting up a thrilling finale at a two-shot lead over Mirim Lee chasing her maiden major, rallied Rancho Mirage. but fell three shots back with a with three birdies on the back “It was a disappointing front nine, but I was really LPGA ANA INSPIRATION SCORES proud of the way I fought on 204 - Brooke Henderson (CAN) 68-71-65, Nelly Korda 66-67-71 the back nine. Never gave up and there’s still 18 more holes 206 - Katherine Kirk (AUS) 72-67-67, Lee Mi-rim (KOR) 70-65-71, 70-67-69 to be played, so much golf,” 207 - (ESP) 70-70-67 said Korda. 208 - 70-71-67, a-Rose Zhang 71-69-68, Maria Fernanda Torres (PUR) 70-69-69, Australian Katherine Kirk, (ENG) 69-70-69 2014 champion Lexi Thompson 209 - Lee Mi-hyang (KOR) 69-70-70, 68-71-70, Liu Yu (CHN) 68-71-70 and Lee are tied for third, two 210 - Nasa Hataoka (JPN) 70-73-67, Moriya Jutanugarn (THA) 71-70-69, Kim Sei-young (KOR) strokes adrift of the leaders. 69-70-71, a-Gabriela Ruffels (AUS) 71-68-71 The ANA Inspiration is 211 - 71-71-69, Ally McDonald 71-69-71, Christina Kim 70-69-72 usually played in April but was 212 - -Hinako Shibuno (JPN) 70-75-67, Ariya Jutanugarn (THA) 73-71-68, pushed back due to the

(ENG) 71-73-68, Lydia Ko (NZL) 69-74-69, Kristen Gillman 69-72-71, Minjee Lee (AUS) 71-69- COVID-19 pandemic and is 72, Kelly Tan (MAS) 68-70-74 being held without fans in attendance. MONDAY 14 SEPTEMBER 2020 SPORT 09 Qatar Arc Trials a huge success in Paris

THE PENINSULA – PARIS Haxo, the first handicap of the year for 2-year-olds. It was The Qatar Arc Trials day took PROSECCO (Starspangled- place at ParisLongchamp banner x Comtesse), for trainer yesterday, with the runners Andrea Marcialis and Pierre- aspiring for the biggest races and Charles Boudot who won with titles on the weekend of the a strong finish in front of Vents Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe Contraires and Akamu. It was lining up three weeks before the the first win for this colt owned main event for their final prep- by E.P.E. Bloodstock Ltd. aration. Qatar’s Ambassador to Qatar Prix Du Pont De France, H E Sheikh Ali bin Jassim Grenelle: Femina con- Al Thani, presented the trophies tinues her ascent to the winners of the Qatar Prix Femina (Siyouni x Legerete) du Petit Couvert (Gr3) and the was the easy winner of the Qatar Cup - Prix Dragon (Gr 1 Qatar Prix du Pont de Grenelle PA), which is the final rehearsal at ParisLongchamp. Trained by for the Qatar Arabian World Cup Carlos Laffon-Parias for Wer- (Gr1 PA). The day included nine theimer & Frère, she came here races and all of them were off a win at Deauville on 16 marked by the name of Qatar. August. Ridden by Maxime Guyon, she ran in mid-division Qatar Prix Vermeille: in the 1,400-metre race. Coming Tarnawa floors the to the outside in the straight, she opposition Qatar’s Ambassador to France, H E Sheikh Ali bin Jassim Al Thani, with team Air de Valse, the winner of the demolished her rivals with a Owned by Aga Khan, the filly Qatar Prix du Petit Couvert (Gr3), at the Qatar Arc Trials day at ParisLongchamp, in Paris, France, yesterday. devastating acceleration to Tarnawa outclassed the oppo- finish over a length in front of sition in the Qatar Prix Vermeille Troilus, with Barakatle in third. (Gr.1). Ridden by Christophe Sou- Khalediah is one of the best pure x Air Bag) was the surprise raider Anthony Van Dyck, respectively. He is trained by millon, Tarnawa initially settled Arabians in the world when his winner of the Qatar Prix du Petit ridden by Mickael Barzalona. André Fabre and was ridden by Qatar Prx Miromesnil: at the rear of the pack. In the legs are not troubling him. Couvert (Group 3). Coming here The French jockey put his Mickael Barzaalona. Predetermined proves his final turn, she came to take the Owned by Polska AKF SP Z.O.O, off a good second place in the partner in the lead, with a worth lead from Laburnum, and placed he was ruled out of the compe- Barrière Prix de Meautry (Gr3) steady pace. Stradivarius trav- Qatar Grand Handicap Owned and trained by an extraordinary acceleration in tition for almost a year after fin- for her first career start at Group elled on his flanks. He accel- Des Arc Trials: Prince Jacques Bertin, Predetermined the straight. ishing second in the Dubai level on 30 August at Deauville, erated in the straight, while Hamlet for Spain! was not one of the most prom- Raabihah, who sat last for a Kahayla Classic (Gr1 PA) in she confirmed that she is a gradually moving to the rail and There was a highly con- inent competitors in the Qatar long time, finished very quickly March 2019. He made a winning Group class on the quick ground Anthony Van Dyck dug deep to tested photo finish in the Qatar Prix Miromesnil, a handicap over to take second place coming a return at Mons on February 20, at ParisLongchamp. Quickly out hold off Stradivarius by only a Grand Handicap des Arc Trials. 1,300m. However, he was the long way back, just ahead of in a modest race, and then dis- of the starting gate, she took the few meters. Naganol Gold took Prince Hamlet, ridden by Tony one who won the race, adding Dame Malliot. Tarnawa had only appointed at Deauville in the lead and controlled the race third place. Piccone, won by the absolute the fifth victory to his account. raced once this year, winning a Doha Cup (Gr1 PA). from the off. She held off a strong minimum in front of True After sitting in fifth position Gr3 in Cork, ahead of Cayenne Back at ParisLongchamp, he attack from the favourite Qatar Prix Du Pin: Earth- Romance and Ronan Thomas in a race led by Duquesa Pepper, who won the Blandford dominated the Qatar Cup (Gr1 Wooded, in the colours of Al light as expected on the line. Prince Hamlet Penguin, Predetermined showed Stakes (Gr2) yesterday. Tarnawa PA), giving a courageous per- Shaqab Racing, who took second It was mission accom- belongs to Pedro A. Mateos Not a nice turn of foot 150m from the has not been entered in the formance to defeat Messi Bel and place. English raider Lady In plished for Earthligt, the hot S.L.. He came here off a win last line, easily taking the lead, Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe Lightning Bolt. He has just France came in third. favourite coming into the Qatar time out in San Sebastian. accompanied by jockey Arnaud and will therefore have to be shortened his odds for the next Prix du Pin. Never under Bourgeais. Carrying top weight supplemented. Qatar Arabian World Cup. Prix Qatar Foy: Anthony pressure, the colt, winner of two Qatar Prix Haxo - in the race, he won by two and Van Dyck beats super Group 1s as a 2-year-old, found Prosecco opens the day a half lengths. Heptathlete Qatar Cup: Fazza Al Khal- Qatar Prix Du Petit stayer Stradivarius his stride to put some disap- The 2020 renewal of the looking to make a showing, but ediah returns to form Couvert: First group win Favourite in the Qatar Prix pointing starts as a 3-year-old Qatar Arc Trials opened, at he could not follow the eventual Winner of the Qatar Arabian for Air De Valse Foy (Gr2), the super stayer behind him. He finished in front ParisLongchamp on Sunday, 13 winner in his acceleration and World Cup in 2018, Fazza Al Air de Valse (Mensil de Aigles Stradivarius lost to the Irish of Tropbeau and Manjeer September, with the Qatar Prix finished second. Hamilton takes 90th F1 victory at Tuscan GP

AFP – MUGELLOMUGELLO winwin of equalling Michael Schu-Schu- macher’s all-time record for GPGP Lewisewis Hamilton demonstrated wins.wins. hisis class and authority on an HamiltonHamilton prevailed with a afternoonafternoon of wild chaos wewell-judgedll-judged performance in yesterdayyesterday when he won an exhausting conditions, in a race extraordinary crash-hit Tuscan which only 12 drivers finishfinisheded GrandGrand Prix to extend his following two multi-car colli-colli- runaway lead in this year’s sions and three Safety Car FormulaFormula One championship. interventions.interventions. ReigningReigning champion “I“It’st’s was all a bibitt HamiltonHamilton finishedfinished of a daze,”daze,” aheadahead of his MerMer-- sasaidid cedescedes team-matteam-matee Valtteri Bottas at MugelloMugello to claim Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton leads the race hishis 90th F1 victorvictory,y, in front of Mercedes’ Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas moving the BBritonriton during the Tuscany Formula One Grand Prix at the to witwithinhin Mugello Circuit in Scarperia e San Piero, yesterday. oneone

sevenseven world titles after cclaiming the early exit of Max Verstappen The race took two hours and and last week’s winner Pierre HamiltonHamilton hishis sixth win in nine raraces this in the first collision. 25 minutes to complete, with the Gasly, leading to six laps behind to SkySky year.year. The 35-year-old exextended Daniel Ricciardo finished spells behind the Safety Car the Safety Car and repairs for Sports.Sports. hishis record run of finifinishesshe in the fourth for Renault ahead of adding up to 76 minutes. Vettel and Alfa Romeo’s Kimi “It“It waswas pointspoints to 42 as he claclaimedim his Sergio Perez of Racing Point, Hamilton wore a T-shirt Raikkonen. inincrediblycredibly toughtough recordrecord 158th podium aahead of Lando Norris of McLaren, Daniil emblazoned with the message When the race re-started on today... All the those Bottas,Bottas, who pursued hihim all the Kvyat of AlphaTauri and Charles “Arrest the cops who killed lap seven, it was halted by a restarts, the concen-concen- way to the flag. Leclerc, who scored points for Breonna Taylor” during a pre- more spectacular multi-car tration that’s neededneeded It was also recordreco 222nd Ferrari on home soil as they race anti-racism ceremony smash, which saw six more cars duringduring that time, it finishfinish in the points forfo Hamilton ended a miserable run in an when he and the Mercedes team eliminated. Amazingly, no-one was really, realreallyly andand the first time tthis season event organised to mark their took a knee and for his for his was injured. hard.”hard.” MercedesMercedes had ddelivered a 1,000th Grand Prix. post-race interview on the track It did result in elimination HamiltonHamilton is nownow one-twoone-two finish aandn the fastest Kimi Raikkonen was ninth and the podium celebrations. for McLaren’s Carlos Sainz, on 190 points, some 55 laplap of the race. for Alfa Romeo and outgoing Taylor was shot dead aged Antonio Giovinazzi of Alfa aheadahead of Bottas and is AlexAlex Albon ffinished third, Sebastian Vettel finished 10th for 26 by police in the US state of Romeo, Kevin Magnussen of alsoalso on course thisthis claimingclaiming his firstfirst podium finish Ferrari. He replaces Perez at the Kentucky in March. The first Haas and Williams rookie season to equal Schu-Schu- forfor Red Bull, aftera a thrilling rebadged Aston Martin team crash took out Verstappen, who Nicholas Latifi -- and a stewards macher’smacher’s record of drivedrive to compecompensaten his team for next year. lost power after a good launch, investigation.

Mercedes’ Morbidelli clinches maiden MotoGP win British driver Lewis Hamilton MISANO ADRIATICO, ITALY AFP - two seconds ahead of Bagnaia on a The only negative for the home and crossed the line 0.799sec ahead celebrates great day for Italian riders in front crowd, the first to be allowed to of another Italian, teammate Marco after winning Franco Morbidelli charged to his of a limited crowd on home soil. watching racing live this season due Bezzecchi. the Tuscany first ever MotoGP win yesterday as Fellow Italian Dovizioso finished to the coronavirus pandemic, was Both Marini and Bezzecchi race Formula One Andrea Dovizioso capitalised on back in seventh but his nine points Valentino Rossi failing to grab his for the Sky Racing “VR46” team Grand Prix, Fabio Quartararo crashing out of the put him six ahead of Frenchman and 200th MotoGP podium after he was owned by Rossi, and Bezzecchi is yesterday. San Marino race to take the cham- pre-race leader Quartararo, who overtaken by Mir on the final lap to third in the championship, 27 points pionship lead. scored nothing after first coming off finish in fourth. behind Marini after moving above Italian Morbidelli’s dominated the track on lap eight and again later Rossi will have been cheered by Spaniard Jorge Martin, who could at Misano Adriatico and finished in the race when already well off his half-brother Luca Marini not race following a positive coro- ahead of countryman Francesco the pace. extending his lead at the top of the navirus test. Bagnaia, riding for Ducati-Pramac, Dovizioso is also 12 points ahead Moto2 standings to 17 points with John McPhee fired himself back and Suzuki’s Spanish rider Joan Mir of Australian Jack Miller, who fin- his fifth win in seven races this into contention in the Moto3 cham- in his maiden victory in motorcy- ished a place behind the Ducati season. pionship after winning earlier and cling’s elite class. rider, after six Grands Prix. Marini took advantage of his closing in on overall leader Albert “I don’t know how it feels, I still The 34-year-old will now be main rival and compatriot Enea Arenas, who crashed out. have to process everything,” he told eyeing his first MotoGP champi- Bastianini finishing third to Briton McPhee is third in the BT Sport. onship after finishing behind six- strengthen his grip on the standings, 14 points behind Arenas, Yamaha SRT’s Morbidelli, 25, time champ Marc Marquez, who is championship. after surging to the front from 17th who started second on the grid, out for the rest of the 2020 cam- The 23-year-old started on pole place on the Moto3 starting grid and overtook pole sitter Maverick paign due to breaking his arm in after American Remy Gardner pipping Japanese rider Ai Ogura, Vinales on the first lap and never the opening race, in each of the last retired from the race after breaking who had started in pole position, by relinquished his lead, finishing over three seasons. his hand and foot in the warm-up 0.037sec. 10 SPORT MONDAY 14 SEPTEMBER 2020 The Japanese star wins third Grand Slam title at US Open Osaka is queen of Queens

AFP – NEW YORK Osaka was the first woman to win the I didn’t really enjoy that. It was a really US Open singles final from a set down since tough match for me. I just thought it Japan’s Naomi Osaka came from a set down 1994 and rises to third in the WTA rankings. would be very embarrassing to lose this to beat Victoria Azarenka of Belarus to win She also becomes the first Asian player in under an hour so I just have the US Open on Saturday and clinch her third to win three Grand Slams, overtaking China’s Grand Slam title. Li Na on two. to try as hard as I can and stop Osaka's Osaka, the fourth seed, overcame her Osaka had walked onto the court hhavingaving a reareallylly bbadad unseeded opponent 1-6, 6-3, 6-3 inside a wearing a mask bearing the name of Tamir attitudattitudee: OsOsakaaka near-empty Arthur Ashe Stadium at Flushing Rice, a 12-year-old African-American boy masks Meadows. who was shot dead by a white police officer It brought 22-year-old Osaka’s haul of in Cleveland, Ohio in 2014. NNEWE YORK tennis major trophies to three after her vic- Osaka, of Japanese and Haitian heritage, REUTERSREUTERS – tories at the 2018 US Open and 2019 Aus- wore different masks honoring victims of USUS OpenOpeen champion Naomi tralian Open. racial injustice and police brutality in each OsakaOsO aka wowworeree a different face mask “I didn’t really enjoy that. It was a really round of the tournament. She also donned forfoor eacheaach ofo her matches at tough match for me,” Osaka said following face coverings bearing the names of Breonna FlushingFlusshih ng MMeadowseea this year. They her 1hr 53min victory that delivers her prize Taylor, Elijah McClain, Ahmaud Arbery, eacheae ch carriedcarriedd the name of a Black money of $3m. Trayvon Martin, George Floyd and Philando AmericanAAmericican aandn aimed to highlight Azarenka, 31, sprinted to the first set in Castile. racialrar cial injusticeinjj in the United just 26 minutes, dominating Osaka with an Azarenka, a two-time Grand Slam StatesStS ates toto a wider audience: 88 percent success rate on her first serve. champion, was playing in her first major The Japanese was uncharacteristically final since losing the 2013 US Open to Serena ROUNDROROUN ONE - BREONNA sloppy, hitting a whopping 13 unforced Williams. TAYLOR errors. The last few years of the former world Taylor,Taylorr 26, was shot dead by Azarenka then went 2-0 ahead in the number one’s career have been disrupted, policepollice inin herher apartment in Louis- second set before Osaka fought back to firstly by injury then by a custody battle over ville,villee, KKentuckyenentuc on March 13. break her opponent’s serve twice and take her son, born in December 2016. OOnenene policepol officer involved a 4-3 lead. But she enjoyed a fairytale run in New wwawasas ffifiredrered bby the city’s police The momentum had quickly swung in York, clinching the Western & deddepartmentpapartmmentt in June. Two other Osaka’s favour and she broke a third time Southern title before reaching ofofficersfiicecers hhaveavv been placed on to push the match to a deciding set. Saturday’s US Open final, administrativeada mminniisttratii reassignment. No “I just thought it would be very embar- where she lost for the criminalccrimmininalal chargeschaa have been filed rassing to lose this in under an hour so I just third time. againstaagainnst aananyy of the three. have to try as hard as I can and stop having “I want to thank ROUNDROOUUNND TTWTWOW - ELIJAH MCCLAIN a really bad attitude,” said Osaka, explaining my team for sticking McClain,MMcCCllain 23, died after a the turnaround. with me, for vivviolentolleent eenencounterc with police Osaka enjoyed the first breakthrough of believing in me,” oofofficersfficceerrss iinn AAurora, Colorado in set three in game four when she broke Aza- Azarenka said. AugustAAuguust llastaast year.y renka’s serve to take a 3-1 lead. “It’s been a long HHisisis familyfamm filed a lawsuit Azarenka then blew a golden opportunity road of getting aagagainstgaiinnst ththee city and its police to get back into the match, wasting three here, but this was departmentddeeppaartrtmem ntt last month, alleging break points as Osaka recovered from 0-40 fun,” she added. murdermmuurrdere andan routine use of to hold for a 4-1 lead. excessiveexxccesssivve forcef against Black Azarenka saved four break points to people.ppeeoople. make it 4-2 as she battled to keep the contest ROUNDROUUND THREE - AHMAUD alive. ARBERY When she broke Osaka in game seven, Arbery,ArArber 25, was fatally shot the set was back on serve. afteraafter bebeinginn pursued by armed But Osaka immediately broke back after whitewhwhitte menm as he jogged Azarenka pushed a forehand wide to leave tthroughhrorough a suburban neigh- herself the opportunity of serving for the bboborhoodrhooo in Georgia in match and title. February.FFeebrb uar On Osaka’s second championship point, ThreeThrr white men have Azarenka found the net. bbebeeneen ccharged with the After touching racquets with her mmumurderurderr of Arbery in a case opponent, Osaka lay down in the middle of thatthhat sspurredpur a national outcry the court and looked up at the sky in Naomi Osaka afterafftter cecellphonelll video of the celebration. of Japan shootingshoooting wwas leaked on the “I always see everyone sort of collapse celebrates with the internet.inteerrnnete . after match point. But I always think you winner's trophy after ROUNDROROUUND FFOUROUUR - TRAYVON MARTIN may injure yourself so I wanted to do it winning the 2020 US MartinMMartin wwas a Black teenager safely,” Osaka said. Open the women’s whosewhhose killingkillinn by civilian George The match was watched by just a few singles final against ZimmermanZimmmere maan in Florida in 2012 dozen people, mostly officials, journalists Victoria Azarenka helpedhhelpedd ssparkpa the Black Lives and event staff after the coronavirus pan- of Belarus at USTA MatterMatter mmovement.ovve demic forced the tournament to be held Billie Jean King National QUARTER-FINALSQUARARTER - GEORGE behind closed doors. Tennis Center, on Saturday. FLOYD Floyd died in hospital on May 25 after Minneapolis police officer Victoria Azarenka Derek Chauvin knelt on the of Belarus ‘Proud’ Azarenka Japan hails Osaka’s triumph 46-year-old’s neck for nearly nine celebrates with minutes during an arrest. AFP - TOKYO her runner-up not disappointed to health problems, tweeted: “Congrat- His death triggered mass pro- trophy after ulations on your second win at the US tests against racial injustice and losing the I had a great two Naomi Osaka’s victory in the US Open Open. Thank you for the sensation. I police brutality in the United Women’s Singles weeks. I enjoyed was hailed yesterday by media and offi- hope you will continue playing States that have spread cials in Japan, who broadly welcomed outstandingly.” internationally. final against myself. I did SEMI-FINALS - PHILANDO CASTILE Naomi Osaka. her campaigning for victims of racial Media and supporters also backed everything I could injustice and against police brutality. 22-year-old Osaka’s protest against Castile was a 32-year-old today. I’m not necessarily Public broadcaster NHK broke into racism on and off the court. Black man shot and killed by Min- disappointed. It’s just painful its regular news programme to flash “The victory embodied the feeling nesota police during a traffic stop to lose. That is what it the news of the 22-year-old’s latest of bereaved families who hope to in a suburb of St. Paul, Minnesota is. I was close. But it Grand Slam triumph, after she beat Vic- prevent a repeat of tragedies and in 2016, prompting protests. didn’t go my way. I toria Azarenka 1-6, 6-3, 6-3 to add to change society,” the Mainichi Shimbun His girlfriend livestreamed winning the 2018 US Open and the 2019 daily said. the aftermath of the incident on feel that I enjoyed Australian Open. Osaka walked onto the court before social media, garnering national more the way I “Osaka achieved the feat of winning the final wearing a mask bearing the attention for the case. am on the court . a record third title in the Grand Slam name of Tamir Rice, a 12-year-old A jury acquitted an officer on Not necessarily singles as an Asian player,” said the African-American boy who was shot charges of felony manslaughter focused on daily Nikkan Sports. dead by a white police officer in and reckless discharge of a Japan’s men’s tennis number one Cleveland in 2014. Osaka, of Japanese firearm. the result, but FINAL - TAMIR RICE focusing on your Kei Nishikori, who withdrew from the and Haitian heritage, wore different US Open after a positive coronavirus masks for each of her seven matches in Rice was a 12-year-old progress, being test, congratulated his fellow player on the tournament, honouring victims of African-American boy who was in the moment, her triumph -- tweeting a string of racial injustice and police brutality. fatally shot by police officer embracing the emoticons of likes, muscles and Jap- “She is brave. I’m proud of her,” Timothy Loehmann in Cleveland, tough moments, anese flags. Osaka’s 75-year-old grandfather, Ohio in 2014 while he played in a tough challenges. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who is Tetsuo Osaka, told reporters of her playground with a toy gun that scheduled to step down this week due stand. fired plastic pellets. Nadal renews Djokovic rivalry in quest for 10th Rome title AFP – ROME the tuneup for the final Grand Slam of bid for an 18th Grand Slam ended amid against France’s fifth seed Gael Kvitova in skipping the Italian event the season at the French Open which controversy at the US Open a week ago Monfils or tenth seeded Swiss Stan which will also be without world Rafael Nadal returns to competition begins on September 27. when he was disqualified after acci- Wawrinka. number one Ashleigh Barty and newly- after a six-month break chasing a tenth Djokovic won the French Open in dentally striking a female line judge US Open finalists Dominic Thiem crowned US Open champion Naomi Italian Open title in Rome against his 2016, with Nadal having won the last with a ball during his last-16 match. and Alexander Zverev, the 2017 winner, Osaka. greatest rival Novak Djokovic before three titles since. Nadal opens his Rome challenge both pulled out after their runs in World number two Halep won the his bid for a 13th Roland Garros crown Nadal, 34, has not played since on Wednesday against 27th-ranked Flushing Meadows, with injured Roger Prague title a month ago, and will face later this month. winning in Acapulco at the end of Feb- fellow Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta, Federer also sidelined. either Anastasija Sevastova or Jasmine The Spaniard has won on the red ruary, skipping the US Open over coro- the recipient of a first round bye, after Former French Open champion Paolini in the second round. clay of the Foro Italico, normally navirus concerns. his run to the US Open semi-finals. Simona Halep headlines the women’s Former French Open champion played in May but which starts behind Djokovic tested positive for coro- Nadal could play either Greek third event which also includes defending Garbine Muguruza opens against closed doors in Rome today, a record navirus in June after an exhibition tour- seed Stefanos Tsitsipas or seventh champion Karolina Pliskova and two- American Sloane Stephens. nine times, including the last two nament he organised, but the Serb won seeded Italian Fabio Fognini for a place time Rome winner Elina Svitolina. Venus Williams, the 1999 Rome editions. his 80th career title at the Cincinnati in the final. Serena Williams withdrew due to champion, has a tough start against US World number one Djokovic, a Masters last month. Nadal has a 61-6 tournament a left Achilles tendon injury sustained Open finalist Victoria Azarenka, with four-time Rome winner and five-time He also captured his 35th ATP record, having not lost before the in her US Open semi-final defeat. the winner taking on third seeded Sofia runner-up, lost to Nadal last year in Masters crown, matching Nadal’s all- quarter-finals since 2008. The former world number one, a Kenin. the final. time record, with the pair battling to Djokovic will start against either four-time Rome champion, joined 2019 Dutch player Kiki Bertens and The 33-year-old is the top seed pull ahead in Rome this week. Italian Salvatore Caruso or a qual- US Open winner Bianca Andreescu and Swiss Belinda Bencic are among the ahead of world number two Nadal, in Djokovic arrives in Rome after his ifier, with a potential semi-final clash two-time Wimbledon winner Petra six top ten players in the field. MONDAY 14 SEPTEMBER 2020 SPORT 11

La Liga: Pellegrini gets first victory Al Ahli storm to third straight with Betis; keeper win; Al Gharafa down Al Arabi error saves Real Sociedad THE PENINSULA — DOHA Al Ahli beat Al Khor 1-0 in Week 3 to complete a hat- REUTERS — MADRID trick of wins in the 2020-21 season QNB Stars League at Real Betis beat Alaves 1-0 yesterday in their the Al Khor Stadium first game of the La Liga season courtesy of an yesterday. injury-time goal from Cristian Tello, giving Also yesterday, Al coach Manuel Pellegrini a winning start in his Gharafa defeat Al Arabi 2-1 first game in charge of the Seville club. to claim their second win at Also yesterday, Real Sociedad earned a 1-1 Al Arabi Stadium. draw at Real Valladolid with the help of a goal- At Al Khor Stadium, keeping howler from Jordi Masip. striker Hernan Perez scored Tello collected a pass following a short the winning goal in the corner and cut inside on the edge of the area fourth minute as Al Ahli to unleash a left-footed strike which crept stormed into the top of the inside the near post. table with nine points, Veteran goalkeeper Claudio Bravo made having beaten Al Wakrah 2-1 an impressive debut for Betis on his return to and Al Arabi 2-0 earlier. Al Spain after four years with Manchester City Khor remained on two and did well to keep out a header from Alaves’ points as they had held Al Rodrigo Battaglia early in the second half. Arabi 2-2 and Umm Salal Sergio Canales had come closest for Betis goalless. with a powerful free kick which hit the crossbar The all-important goal before teeing up Tello for the decisive late goal, resulted from a defensive Al Ahli’s Hernan Perez (centre) heads the which got former Real Madrid, Malaga and Vil- mistake committed by Al ball against Al Khor’s players during their larreal coach Pellegrini off to an ideal start on Khor captain Naif Al Buraiki. his return to Spain after stints with Manchester Perez quickly intercepted QSL match at Al Khor Stadium yesterday. City and West Ham United. and trapped the ball from Valladolid took the lead against Sociedad Naif, who passed it to fellow in the 39th minute when Michel tapped into defender Robert Melki to headed over the bar the Ahli attackers Perez and Sofiane Hanni scored the net following fine work by Sergi Guardiola avert danger, and shot it resultant corner kick taken Umaru each wasted a their second goal in 72nd down the wing. home past goalkeeper Baba by Helal Mohammed. chance. minute from a penalty kick. But they lost their lead due to a moment of Djibril. There were chances for Al Ahli’s Mohammed Al For Al Arabi, Hamdi Har- madness from keeper Masip, who let a tame Al Ahli almost doubled both sides before the first Abbassi sent a shot skywards baoui scored the consolation free kick from Roberto Lopez slip through his the lead the next minute, but half ended. YESTERDAY’S RESULTS in the 80th minute. He hit goal in 87th minute. hands and over the line on the hour mark. Nabil El Zhar, after receiving Al Ahli’s Mohamed Al Ahli beat Al Khor 1-0 his shot wide six minutes The high-profile match LA LIGA RESULTS a cross from Abdulrasheed Diame’s bicycle kick from Al Gharafa beat later. And the stalemate between Al Sadd and reigning Umaru, sent his shot against close was collected by Al Arabi 2-1 continued. champions Al Duhail was Alaves 0 Real Betis 1 (Tello 90+5) the right upright. Djibril, but he fumbled and Meanwhile, Al Gharafa postponed and will be played Valladolid 1 (Herrero 40) Real Sociedad 1 (Lopez 60) Al Khor made their first Naif cleared the ball. Abdulrahman Rajab and displayed a dominating on October 21, owing to their Played on Saturday attempt in the 23rd minute At the other end, Lucca Abdulla Al Moraisi as show against Al Arabi with commitments in the 2020 Eibar 0 Celta Vigo 0 when Mohammed Al Jabri’s Borges could not guide a substitutes. their star Jonathan Kodjia AFC Champions League,

Granada 2 (Herrera 49, Milla 53) Athletic Bilbao 0 powerful long-range shot Helal pass into the goal. Lucca and Ibrahim scoring the first goal in 21st which will resume today with Cadiz 0 Osasuna 2 (Adrian 10, Santos 79) was palmed away by Al Khor came on to the Amada continued to lead Al minute off an assist from all West Zone matches being Ivanildo Rodrigues. And Naif pitch on resumption with Khor’s charge, even as Al Ahmed Alaaeildin. scheduled in Doha. Everton break Spurs jinx; Leicester win

REUTERS — LONDON victory against an unimaginative Vardy, the league’s top scorer Tottenham side. last season, and Dennis Praet both Everton justified the pre-season After an even first half in which had drilled efforts well saved by optimism as Dominic Calvert- Richarlison wasted a great chance West Brom goalkeeper Sam John- Lewin’s header earned them an for Everton and keeper Jordan stone in bright sunshine at the Haw- impressive 1-0 win at Tottenham Pickford denied Tottenham’s deb- thorns, with the hosts offering little Hotspur in their Premier League utant Matt Doherty, Everton bossed in attack in the first half. opener yesterday -- the Merseyside the second period. The visitors continued to dom- club’s first win over Spurs since Once Calvert-Lewin sent an inate after the break and took the 2012. unstoppable header past Hugo Lloris lead in the 56th minute through Carlo Ancelotti’s side arrived in the 55th minute, meeting Lucas debutant Timothy Castagne -- a buoyed by the midweek signings of Digne’s free kick to perfection, Tot- summer signing from Italian side Colombian playmaker James Rod- tenham huffed and puffed but Atalanta -- when the full back riguez and French powerhouse mid- offered little. headed home a Praet cross. fielder Abdoulaye Doucoure. In other game, Jamie Vardy con- Vardy was fouled by Kyle They both made outstanding verted two penalties to help Bartley in the penalty area 17 debuts, as did fellow new Brazilian Leicester City get off to a winning minutes from time, and the striker midfielder Allan, but it was Shef- start in the Premier League season stroked home the spot-kick to score Everton’s English striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin (centre) celebrates with team-mates field-born Calvert-Lewin who gave with a 3-0 victory at promoted West for the fifth successive trip to West after scoring a goal during their Premier League match, yesterday. Everton a thoroughly deserved Bromwich Albion. Brom as a Leicester player. Australia legend Warne England fight back to beat Australia makes Royal return to by 24 runs and level one-day series Rajasthan as mentor AFP — MANCHESTER when he had Alex Carey AFP — NEW DELHI love,” Warne said in a stumped. statement. “Hopefully, we can World champions England Earlier, Australia held Australian spin legend Shane have a successful season and staged a remarkable rally in the England to 231-9, with captain Warne (pictured) is returning achieve big things in the field to beat Australia by 24 runs Eoin Morgan top-scoring with to the Rajasthan Royals, the coming months.” in the second one-day interna- 42 after he won the toss. IPL side he captained to IPL teams often keep tional at Old Trafford yesterday Leg-spinner Adam Zampa victory, as a mentor for the retired players on as coaches as they levelled a three-match took 3-36 from his maximum upcoming season in the and mentors to help motivate series at 1-1. 10 overs. England were in dire United Arab Emirates, the younger and senior members Australia were cruising to a trouble at 149-8 before a ninth- club said yesterday. in the dug-out. modest target of 232 at 144-2 wicket partnership of 76 Warne -- who was the Warne, who took 56 before losing four wickets for between Tom Curran (37) and Royals skipper when they wickets in his 52 games with three runs, including captain Adil Rashid (35 not out) kept clinched the Indian Premier the Royals, will link up with Aaron Finch for 73, to be 147-6. them in the game. League cup in its inaugural fellow Australian and head Sam Curran then took two The series concludes at Old edition in 2008 -- will join coach Andrew McDonald, wickets in two balls before leg- Trafford on Wednesday -- Eng- the team in the UAE and also who was his teammate at spinner Adil Rashid ended the land’s final match of a season represent the club as its Victoria from 2003-07. match with eight balls to spare where they will have played ambassador. Warne,Warne, regardedregar as one “It’s“It’s always a of the greatestgrea leg- greatgreat feelingfeeling to bbee spinners inin the history SCOREBOARD backback withwit h ofof cricketcricket,, picked up ENGLAND AUSTRALIA Royals,Royals, my 708 wiwicketsck in 145 J. Roy run out (Stoinis) ...... 21 DA Warner c Buttler b Archer ...... 6 J. Bairstow c Carey b Starc ...... 0 AJ Finch (c) b Woakes ...... 73 team,eam, my TTestsests dduring his J. Root c Finch b Zampa ...... 39 MP Stoinis c Buttler b Archer ...... 9 family.family. It’s 15-year internationalin E. Morgan lbw b Zampa ...... 42 M Labuschagne lbw b Woakes ...... 48 excitingexciting to be career.care J. Buttler lbw b Cummins ...... 3 MR Marsh b Archer ...... 1 workingw ork ing The S. Billings b Zampa ...... 8 AT Carey st Buttler b Rashid...... 36 C. Woakes c Carey b Hazlewood ...... 26 GJ Maxwell b Woakes ...... 1 acrossacross aallll eele-le- vvirus- England’s Chris Woakes celebrates the wicket of Australia’s Aaron S. Curran c Carey b Starc ...... 1 PJ Cummins b SM Curran ...... 11 mentsments ofof thisthis delayedd Finch, yesterday. franchisefranchise tournament T. Curran b Marsh ...... 37 MA Starc c Buttler b SM Curran ...... 0 A. Rashid not out ...... 35 A Zampa c Archer b SM Curran ...... 2 thathat I will start J. Archer not out ...... 6 JR Hazlewood ...... not out 7 their 18 scheduled international Star batsman Smith missed on Sep- Extras (lb5, w8) ...... 13 Extras (lb 11, nb 1, w 1) ...... 13 fixtures, albeit behind closed Australia's 19-run win at Lan- tembertemb 19 in the Total (9 wkts, 50 overs) ...... 231 Total (All out in 48.4 Ov) ...... 207 doors, despite the coronavirus cashire's headquarters in the UAE,UAE, and draw stars Fall of wickets: 1-20 (Bairstow), 2-29 (Roy), Fall of wickets: 1-9 (Warner), 2-37 (Stoinis), pandemic. first of a three-match series ranging frofromm England’s 3-90 (Root), 4-107 (Buttler), 5-117 (Morgan), 3-144 (Labuschagne), 4-145 (Marsh), 5-145 Aussie star Steve Smith against world champions JosJos ButtlButtlere to Aus- 6-140 (Billings), 7-143 (S Curran), 8-149 (Finch), 6-147 (Maxwell), 7-166 (Cummins), remained out of action as England on Friday after being ttralianralian sstars Steve (Woakes), 9-225 (T Curran) 8-166 (Starc), 9-176 (Zampa), 10-207 (Carey) England captain Eoin Morgan hit on the head by a throw- SSmithmith and David Bowling: Starc 10-1-38-2 (3w); Hazlewood 10- Bowling: Woakes 10-1-32-3, Archer 10-2-34-3, won the toss and elected to bat down from a member of the 2-27-1; Cummins 10-3-56-1 (3w); Marsh 8-1-49-1 T Curran 10-2-28-0, Rashid 9.4-0-67-1, S Cur- Warner.Warne (2w); Stoinis 2-0-20-0; Zampa 10-0-36-3 ran 9-0-35-3 in the second one-day interna- tourists' coaching staff while tional at Old Trafford yesterday. batting in the nets on Thursday. Sport

MONDAY 14 SEPTEMBER 2020 HamiltonH wins crash-hit Tuscan Grand PrixP to extend F1 championship lead It’sI was all a bit of a daze. It was incredibly tough today... All thet those restarts, the concentration that’s needed during thatt time, it was really, really hard.

Formula 1 World Champion | Lewis Hamilton Sport 09

ACL: TODAY'S FIXTURES - GROUP A: Al Ahli (KSA) vs Al Shorta - 18:00, Al Wahda vs Esteghlal - 21:00 GROUP B: Shabab Al Ahli vs Shahr Khodro - 18:00, Al Hilal vs Pakhtakor - 21:00 Qatar ready to host top Asian We are proud and pleased to have been chosen as the clubs at 2022 World Cup venues host association for the remaining THE PENINSULA – DOHA not be able to attend the AFC Cham- matches of the pions League matches, this tour- Qatar is pleased to have played a key nament will represent an opportunity AFC Champions role in assisting the Asian Football to unite the fans in encouraging their League 2020. Confederation (AFC) to resume its top teams from anywhere in the world,” Because of the club event - the AFC Champions the QFA President added. League - following a long period of Shaikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al We have always latest technology to inactivity caused by the COVID-19 Khalifa, President of AFC, expressed believed in football’s cool the stadiums, pandemic sweeping the globe. appreciation to the Qatari gov- ability to bring people this will be the The Qatar Football Association ernment, the QFA and all concerned (QFA) President yesterday said that authorities in the country for hosting together and although first continental Qatar - hosts of the 2022 FIFA World ACL matches ‘with highest level of fans will not be able to championship to Cup - is ready to host ACL matches in professionalism, which guarantees a attend the AFC Champions be held at these the West Zone beginning today. safe return to the active football’. League matches, this venues. Qatar Teams from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, “Tremendous effort have been Uzbekistan, Iraq, Iran and hosts Qatar made to resume the tournament tournament will represent has been and will will feature in a series of matches from matches on September 14, in cooper- an opportunity to unite the remain the home of September 14 to October 3 at two ation with the Qatar Football Associ- fans in encouraging their Asian football: QFA 2022 FIFA World Cup venues - Al ation and its member football associ- Janoub Stadium and the iconic Khalifa ations. Everyone has shown their pro- teams from anywhere in President International Stadium. fessionalism to ensure the return of the world: QFA President, Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium will the matches in an atmosphere that Sheikh Hamad bin also host a few matches. guarantees the safety of everyone,” “We are proud and pleased to have the AFC President said in a statement. Khalifa bin been chosen as the host association “I am pleased to extend, on behalf Ahmed for the remaining matches of the AFC of Asian football, my sincere thanks Al Thani Champions League 2020. Because of to the Qatar Football Association, the the latest technology to cool the sta- Qatari government and health sector diums, this will be the first continental officials for taking the highest level of championship to be held at these necessary precautionary measures, beginning, we have worked with the venues. Qatar has been and will and for their commitment to support Qatar Football Association, the Qatar Amir Cup semis remain the home of Asian football,” Asian football,” the AFC President said. Stars League and the AFC to ensure QFA President, Sheikh Hamad bin Nasser Al Khater, CEO of the Local that all possible safety precautions are on October 30-31 Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani, said Organising Committee of the AFC taken so that the tournament is yesterday. Champions League 2020, said: “The delivered safely for everyone involved. THE PENINSULA – DOHA “Despite the exceptional circum- AFC Champions League is a pres- This includes putting in place a series stances this year, we remain com- tigious tournament that we are hon- of measures at every step - from The Qatar Football Association yesterday mitted to ensuring that players con- oured to host. We are particularly arrival at Hamad International Airport announced the schedule of matches for the tinue to participate in competitions, thrilled to have been able to step in to hotels, training sites and stadiums. semi-finals of the Amir Cup competition. and that football fans continue to and help the AFC at this late stage of While it is unfortunate that matches Al Markhiya will meet Al Arabi in the first From the very support their teams as naturally as the tournament and play a role in will not be open to fans, we believe in semi-final on October 30 and Al Duhail will beginning, we possible,” he said in a story posted on facilitating the gradual, safe return of the power of football to bring people play their semi-final match against Al Sadd on have worked with Al Kass website. “We have always Asian football to stadiums – on behalf together – even if this means coming the following day. believed in football’s ability to bring of football lovers around the world.” together digitally or through television The kick off times and the venues will be the Qatar Football people together and although fans will Al Khater added: “From the very screens.” announced later. Association, the Qatar Stars League KEY POINTS: and the AFC to ensure that all Al Hilal eye winning start against * Coach Razvan Lucescu joined possible safety Al Hilal in June 2019, leading them precautions are through the knockout stages of Pakhtakor as ACL action resumes the 2019 AFC Champions League taken so that the and going all the way to help them tournament is THE PENINSULA – DOHA desire to reach the final of the Pakhtakor head coach win their third continental title last delivered safely tournament after we won the Shota Arveladze said yesterday: year. for everyone Al Hilal’s Romanian coach league (last year),” Lucescu said “I personally like this cen- Razvan Lucescu sounded yesterday at a pre-match press tralised format. It allows us to * Al Hilal suffered a blow after involved. While it confident of winning against conference. remain focused on the run of five players tested positive for is unfortunate that Pakhtakor as the two teams “We won the league and matches and try to go as far as COVID-19 upon their arrival to matches will not prepared for the first match of came here with huge moti- possible. We know what is Doha. the AFC Champions League that vation to defend our title. expected of us. We played a be open to fans, resumes today after a gap of “We are well prepared to match every three days in the * The two sides have registered we believe in the more than seven months. face Pakhtakor after our many Uzbek League. It was difficult, full marks in their opening power of football Saudi giants and defending matches in the league after but it will also help us adapt to two games of the group, with champions Al Hilal take on the resuming match play,” the the upcoming run of fixtures in defending champions Al Hilal to bring people Uzbek side in a Group B match 51-year-old added. this competition.” beating Shahr Khodro FC 2-0 and together – even if to be played at the iconic “We have distinguished In other matches on Qatari Shabab Al Ahli 2-1 while Pakhtakor this means coming Khalifa International Stadium players who have the ability to yesterday: “Our preparation as soil today, Saudi side Al Ahli started with a 2-1 win over Shabab together digitally or where no fans will be allowed do well despite the absence of players doesn’t differ from any face Iraqi giants Al Shorta in a Al Ahli then swept aside Shahr for the first of a series of West those affected with the virus,” other game. We worked well in Group A clash while UAE’s Khodro 3-0. through television Zone matches on Qatari soil. Lucescu, who coached Qatar's yesterday’s training session. We Shabab Al Ahli take on Iranian screens: CEO of the Teams from Saudi Arabia, El Jaish for two seasons, said. have to start the match strongly team Shahr Khodro in a Group * Both Al Hilal and Pakhtakor Local Organising the UAE, Uzbekistan, Iraq, Iran "The level of Pakhtakor in order to advance to the final B match. Qatar’s Al Sadd and Al are their respective nations’ most and hosts Qatar will feature in caught my eye as I watched stages and defend our title. We Duhail, UAE’ Al Ain, Sepahan FC successful sides. Al Hilal regained Committee of the matches from Sept 14 to Oct 3 their matches. They have worked as one integrated of Iran, Saudi sides Al Nassr and the Saudi Pro League title from AFC Champions at two 2022 FIFA World Cup quality players who play organization of players, Al Taawoun FC are the other arch-rivals Al Nassr to become League 2020, venues - Al Janoub Stadium, attacking football,” Lucescu coaches, administrators, and teams vying for a spot in the champions for the 16th time while and the Khalifa International said. fans. We are always keen to set next stage. Some of the matches Nasser Al Khater Pakhtakor ended a four-year Stadium. Al Hilal goalkeeper the goals we want to achieve will also be played at Jassim Bin Lokomotiv dominance to win their “We came here with the Abdullah Al Mayouf said and work hard to reach them.” Hamad Stadium. 12th title.

FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 venues, Al Janoub Stadium (left) and Khalifa International Stadium will host today's matches of the AFC Champions League.