SPORT Friday 25 January 2019 PAGE | 18 PAGE | 19 Timeless Anderson’s Nadal crushes late strikes dent another youth West Indies rebellion on first day Qatari players take part in a practice session ahead of their AFC Asian Cup Quarter-final match against South Korea which We’ll go back to Doha will be played in Abu Dhabi, today. with the Cup, says Ali REUTERS ABU DHABI Qatar’s Ali Afif (pictured) eschewed the usual pre-match conventions ahead of a quarter-final clash against South Korea yesterday, boldly declaring his side would be taking the Asian Cup back to Doha to celebrate with their fans. Qatar have shown impressive form in reaching the quarter- finals, winning four matches without con- ceding a goal and knocking out 2007 champions Iraq in the last 16. We got messages from Doha that Afif said getting they are supporting us and will try past pre-tournament to repay them with our unstinting favourites South Korea efforts. The whole squad will do and into the semi- so and we will celebrate together finals of the conti- and go back to Doha with the Cup nental championship for them: Ali Afif Sanchez confident Qatar for the first time today should not be the extent of their ambition. “We know they are supporting us even they are not can handle the pressure here,” the experienced midfielder said of the absent fans. “We got messages from Doha that they are supporting us and will try to repay them with our unstinting efforts. THE PENINSULA Ali, who claimed the top scorer The whole squad will do so and we will celebrate together ABU DHABI award at the AFC U23 Champi- and go back to Doha with the Cup.” onship in 2018, has been in sen- Coach Felix Sanchez is confident sational form throughout the tour- that Qatar players are capable of nament, netting seven times in handling the pressure when they four matches – including a four- beIN Sports to air take on two-time champions goal haul against North Korea. South Korea in their quarter-final Sanchez’s counterpart Paulo of the AFC Asian Cup today. Bento said that his team wary of South American The eagerly-anticipated Qatar’s strength. encounter takes place at the Zayed “They have players who are football tournaments Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi. very good technically, their Unbeaten in four matches, strikers and wingers are also very Qatar will be looking to continue fast. It will not just be about THE PENINSULA their winning momentum as they Almoez Ali as Qatar are a very DOHA face one of the tournament strong unit as a team,” Bento told favourites, having won Group E representatives of media during a The South American Football Confederation and then beating Iraq 1-0 in the pre-match press conference (CONMEBOL), FC Diez and beIN Media Group have today Round of 16 – a run of victories yesterday. announced a multi-year media rights agreement that that has seen them score 11 times “It will be a very difficult game. will see beIN Sports exclusively broadcast the Copa without conceding a goal. They are very good offensively and Libertadores football tournament across the USA, Despite Qatar never having defensively. This is a team that has Canada, Australia, New Zealand and 24 territories in the progressed beyond this stage in worked together for a long time Middle East and North Africa. any of their previous nine appear- with a coach who knows the South America’s premier club football tournament ances in the competition, Sanchez Coach Felix Sanchez speaking to teh media during a press conference players very well,” he added. will be shown on beIN Sports in the USA, Canada, Aus- yesterday said his squad is ade- held in Abu Dhabi, yesterday, on the eve of Qatar’s AFC Asian Cup Son Heung-min, the popular tralia and New Zealand for the first time, and quately equipped to cope with the Quarter -final match against South Korea. winger, is probably the coach’s strengthens the company’s expanding portfolio of major intense nature of an AFC Asian Cup biggest strength, but Tottenham sports rights. quarter-final tie. Hotspur star has failed to live upto beIN Media Group has also acquired the rights to the “Up until this point the team While acknowledging the have every confidence in all the Bento’s expectations in UAE this second most important South American club football has performed well and has absence of Hassan and the influ- players who are here. time. tournament, the Copa Sudamericana. Both tournaments achieved some very good results,” ential young midfielder Madibo’s “Of course, it would be better However, Bento said that its take place in the calendar year with multiple kick-off Sanchez said yesterday at a pre- loss was a blow, Sanchez remained to have everyone available, but we not a concern as long as south time slots and minimal crossover, allowing beIN Sports match press conference. adamant that his squad has suffi- are sure that we will maintain our Korea keep finding the net. to broadcast live all 262 matches each year from both “Of course, all of them are pro- cient depth to deal with their (current level) and be ready to “I am not concerned that Son competitions across linear and digital channels. fessional players and they are used enforced absence, something compete against South Korea,” the hasn’t scored, it isn’t mandatory The four-year deal, from 2019 to 2022, will allow to playing in competitions such as which he believes is par for the Qatar coach added. that he scores for the national beIN Sports to play its part in making the historic tour- their domestic leagues and the AFC course in tournament football. Qatar reached the last eight of team,” Bento said. nament a truly global spectacle. Champions League, so they are “We know we are going to face the prestigious tournament for the “For us, what is most Martin Aurenche, Vice President of Sports Content used to having this kind of a very tough game against what third time when they beat Iraq 1-0 important is that we score in every of beIN Media Group, said: “We are delighted to have pressure,” Sanchez, who took many people believe are one of the on Tuesday. game in this competition. I think secured the rights to the Copa Libertadores, Copa Suda- charge of Al Annabi in 2017, said. favourites for the tournament,” Qatar have scored the highest we should have scored more goals mericana and Recopa Sudamericana for the next four “The pressure of being in a Sanchez said yesterday. number of goals so far in the tour- as we created a lot of situations in years across multiple territories. beIN Sports will quarter-final is more than “Once you reach this far in the nament with 22-year-old Almoez almost all the games we played. broadcast these thrilling, passionate and historic tour- welcome and I think they have to competition, it is normal to have Ali closing in on the record for “It is not important who scores. naments, demonstrating our commitment to becoming enjoy it, and work very hard to injuries or players suspended. We most number of goals in Asian Cup What is most important is that we the leading global sport and entertainment network. have the chance to have at least are a group of 23 players, and we history . create opportunities and score,” “This new deal is particularly exciting for beIN Sports one more game,” the Spanish tac- the coach added. subscribers in the USA and Canada, who will be able to tician said. The pressure of being in a quarter-final is Bento said South Korea need watch some of the future stars of global football during “I want them to feel the to assert their style if they want to midweek prime time viewing hours,” he said. pressure in the right way because more than welcome and I think they have contain Qatar. Jose Astigarraga, Secretary-General of CONMEBOL, it is a very important game, but to enjoy it, and work very hard to have “We must play as we like to said: “We are pleased with the recent alliance with beIN they are absolutely used to these the chance to have at least one more play. We must control the ball, Sports for the transmission of our South American kinds of situations,” he added. game. I want them to feel the pressure dominate in the offensive part of football tournaments. This alliance will ensure that south For today’s match, Qatar will our midfield. There must be good American football lovers around the world can live the be without 2018 Asian Player of in the right way because it is a very reaction when we lose the ball and passion of our tournaments.” the Year Abdelkarim Hassan and important game, but they are absolutely we must also control the space The deal was brokered by FC Diez Media, a joint Assim Madibo after the key duo used to these kinds of situations: Sanchez behind our defensive line,” Bento, venture between Perform and IMG, set up to advise CON- picked up their second yellow a former Portuguese midfielder, MEBOL on their commercial rights for club cards during the win over Iraq. said. competitions. FRIDAY 25 JANUARY 2019 SPORT 17 Qatar go down fighting Anderson equals Botham’s record but Roach puts England in trouble in West Asia T20 final AGENCIES format of the international game. BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS Anderson’s final innings figures of THE PENINSULA Englam Purat punished the five for 46 off 30 overs lifted his MUSCAT Qatari bowlers with eight hits James Anderson completed the 27th number of Test victims to 570.