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FRIDAY 4 DECEMBER 2020 Williamson makes hay on green top as West Indies rue decision to bowl first A masterful innings from Kane Williamson, who was 97 at stumps, put New Zealand in charge on a day one of the first Test that should have belonged to the West Indies quicks in Hamilton. Kane Williamson New Zealand Sport | 15 AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (EAST) Tokyo bt Perth 1-0; Ulsan bt Shanghai 4-1; Beijing draw with Chiangrai 1-1; Melbourne bt Seoul 2-1

Qatar ready to take on Bangladesh

FAWAD HUSSAIN the competition to return again THE PENINSULA Qatar are leading Group E with 13 and we are all eagerly waiting points and will confirm their berth for tomorrow’s match,” the Asian champions Qatar are at the AFC Asian Cup China 2023 by coach said yesterday. favourites against Bangladesh Both the teams last met in in today’s Asian Qualifiers Group winning the group. Dhaka with Qatar winning the Qatar coach E clash at home but coach Felix game 2-0 after a thrilling match. Felix Sanchez Sanchez is not taking things for The match will be played at Doha’s Today’s game is also expected watches granted as Al Annabi returns to Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium with to be an absorbing battle as team's training competitive football after a kick off set for 7pm. Bangladesh are seeking to give session on year’s break. a strong fight against the hosts. the eve of the Qatar, who will host their All the 1,800 tickets, which match against continental opponents at Doha’s pitch only and we do not care were made available for the tie, Bangladesh. Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, what is said on social media were sold out in quick time. The are seeking to consolidate top platforms or even the words of match will kick off at 7:00pm A Qatari player position in the group in today’s other coaches,” Sanchez said at today. in action during match. a pre-match press conference Fans will be able to see top training session. Ranked 59th on the FIFA yesterday. Qatar stars including reigning computer, the 2019 AFC Asian “Bangladeshi team is AFC Player of the year Akram Cup champions are leading organised and plays collectively Afif, his predecessor Abdel is very well prepared and we will Group E with 13 points and will and therefore we have to be dis- Karim Hassan and Almoez Ali, give our best to achieve victory in confirm their berth at the AFC ciplined and beware of con- the leading scorer at the 2019 the match and live up to expec- Asian Cup China 2023 by ceding goals and avoid counter- AFC Asian Cup in action, as tations of our fans,” he said. winning the group. attacks,” the Spaniard added. Sanchez named a strong squad Meanwhile, Bangladesh Bangladesh, who are ranked Qatar last played a com- for today’s match. assistant coach Stuart Watkiss 184, are at the bottom of the petitive match against Saudi Accompanying Sanchez in said his team is going into the group. Arabia in the semi-final of Gulf yesterday’s press conference, game with lack of competitive Sanchez yesterday shrugged Cup in December 2019 before Muhammad Waad, who is match practice. “You only get off the favourite tag, saying his coronavirus pandemic disrupted expected to make his interna- truly match-fit by playing com- A glimpse of team will go into today’s match international football action. tional debut today, said he is petitive matches, but unfortu- team's training completely focused . “We are happy to play the ‘ready to give his best’ for Qatar. nately we have still not played session. “We prepare for all matches first official match after a long “I am ready to give my best nearly enough,” Watkiss told The by focusing on our goals on the time. Our players are excited for for the national team. Our team Daily Star. Adailton fires Tokyo into Asian Premier League, EFL Champions League Round of 16 agree £250m virus rescue package AFP — DOHA first time since 2006. Having AFP — LONDON booked their knockout berth Brazilian midfielder Adailton earlier, Ulsan made several The EFL says clubs in Leagues One scored a brilliant solo goal in the changes to their line-up but The Premier League and the and Two -- the third and fourth first half as FC Tokyo edged past Park Jeong-in and Lee Sang- English Football League tiers -- would receive grants worth Perth Glory 1-0 to seal the heon put them 2-0 ahead at the agreed a £250m rescue £50m ($67m). The Premier League second Round of 16 spot from break. package yesterday, ending will provide a further financial Group F in the Asian Champions Bjorn Johnsen then added a months of uncertainty for League yesterday. second-half brace as the lower-league clubs struggling commitment to help the EFL secure South Korean giants Ulsan Koreans recorded their fifth financially during the coro- a £200m loan facility for clubs in Hyundai had already made the straight win. navirus pandemic. the second-tier Championship. cut as guaranteed group “After we qualified for the The EFL said clubs in winners, leaving FC Tokyo and round of 16, I expected a few Leagues One and Two -- the Shanghai Shenhua scrapping players might lose concen- third and fourth tiers -- would continue to suffer significant for second place with both Tokyo’s forward tration but all the players con- receive grants worth £50m financial losses as a result of teams on seven points from five Adailton celebrates centrated and played well,” said ($67m). The Premier League the pandemic, but Premier matches. his goal during the Ulsan coach Kim Do-hoon. will provide a further League shareholders today But Shanghai Shenhua fell AFC Champions “We had a lot of young financial commitment to help unanimously agreed to to a crushing 4-1 defeat by League match players and they did their job. I the EFL secure a £200m loan provide additional funding Ulsan yesterday to exit the tour- against Australia’s asked them to play aggressively facility for clubs in the and support for EFL clubs in nament, while FC Tokyo’s Perth Glory at the with combination play and high second-tier Championship. real financial distress.” narrow win over Perth Glory Education City press, and they did it all very It follows months of The package for Leagues helped them maintain their Stadium, yesterday. well.” Shanghai Shenhua’s Choi negotiations between the two One and Two is understood record of qualifying for the Kang-hee said the Covid-19 governing bodies, who had to be £30 million to be split knockout phase every year pandemic meant they faced a been criticised for their failure between the 48 clubs in those since their continental debut in number of difficulties in playing to reach an agreement. divisions, plus access to a 2012. the competition. The government has con- further £20 million package Adailton was in the thick of “Today we are very happy biggest opponent today but “We understand it’s a pan- sistently said that the Premier of monitored grants. the action in the very first about qualifying for the next congratulations to FC Tokyo.” demic. It’s a special time, and League, rather than the tax- The £30m will be paid minute at the Education City round. Some players who didn’t - Shanghai crash out - we have to play in this kind of payer, must help the EFL. immediately from the Stadium when he went for a play much before played today Shanghai Shenhua’s defeat way, but we hope in the future “Our over-arching aim Premier League to help cover spectacular bicycle kick off a and Adailton scored a very good by Ulsan Hyundai meant they the tournament won’t be played throughout this process has lost matchday revenue. cross from Takuya Uchida only goal,” said Hasegawa. failed to make the last 16 for the with such a tight fixture list.” been to ensure that all EFL The monitored grants can to see the ball sail over the “We tried to score clubs survive the financial be applied for by clubs in goalpost. more goals in the Ulsan’s defender impact of the pandemic,” said need, with a joint EFL and But he compensated for that second half but also we Jung Seung- EFL chairman Rick Parry. Premier League panel ruling miss in style seven minutes later knew the result of the Hyun (right) vies “I am pleased that we on eligibility. with a brilliant 30-yard burst other game (Ulsan for the header have now reached a reso- The Premier League has down the left flank, scoring with were leading 2-0 with Shanghai’s lution on behalf of our clubs committed to cover up to £15 a curling shot past Perth goal- against Shenhua at half forward Bi Jinhao and as we have maintained million in interest and keeper Liam Reddy. time), so we were more during their match throughout this will provide arrangement fees to enable a Two minutes later, Adailton comfortable.” at the Jassim Bin much-needed support and £200m loan to be secured for found himself in a great position Perth Glory’s Hamad Stadium, clarity following months of Championship clubs. to strike again but his powerful Cristian Ola said yesterday. uncertainty.” Culture Secretary Oliver effort from outside the penalty fatigue was a big factor Premier League chief Dowden said: “I warmly area saw Reddy producing a for his team’s poor executive Richard Masters welcome this deal between fine save. show. said: “The Premier League is the Premier League and the Perth Glory took control of “Not happy with a huge supporter of the EFL, which provides up to the match in the second half but the result but happy football pyramid and is well £250m support to help clubs could not get past the Tokyo with our boys’ efforts aware of the important role through Covid. defence, ending up at the and display consid- clubs play in their “I’m glad that football has bottom of the table with just one ering it was their fifth communities. come together to agree this point from six matches. game in a short space “Our commitment is that substantial package. Fans are FC Tokyo coach Kente of time which is not no EFL club need go out of starting to return and we look Hasegawa said he always had something we are used business due to Covid-19. forward to building on this as confidence in his team’s to,” said Ola. “All football clubs soon as it’s safe.” abilities. “Fatigue was our Sport FRIDAY 4 DECEMBER 2020 15

Faleh Bughanaim and Seeyoubyme beat strong field to corner Ras Laffan Cup glory

Riders take the final bend during the Ras Laffan Cup, a 2000m turf race, at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) in Al Rayyan Racecourse yesterday. CENTRE: Faleh Bughanaim, astride Seeyoubyme, on way to winning the Ras Laffan Cup, the feature race. RIGHT: The Seeyoubyme family is seen during the prize distribution ceremony.

SCOREBOARD F1: Grosjean New Zealand 1st innings T. Latham b Roach ...... 86 Maxwell defends ‘switch-hit’, W. Young b Gabriel ...... 5 hails crash K. Williamson not out ...... 97 R. Taylor not out ...... 31 heroes as FIA Extras (b6, lb10, nb7, w1) ...... 24 Total (2 wkts, 78 overs) ...... 243 asks bowlers to evolve To bat: H. Nicholls, T. Blundell, D. Mitchell, K. launches Jamieson, T. Southee, N. Wagner, T. Boult REUTERS - MELBOURNE Fall of : 1-14 (Young), 2-168 (Latham) Bowling: Roach 15-3-53-1, Gabriel, 17-5-62-1 investigation (6nb), Holder 19-8-25-0 (1nb), Joseph 17-6-43- Glenn Maxwell defended the 0 (1w), Chase 9-0-42-0, Brathwaite 1-0-2-0 switch-hit after the audacious West Indies: Kraigg Brathwaite, John Campbell, stroke once again drew crit- REUTERS - LONDON Darren Bravo, , Shamarh icism from pundits, the Brooks, Roston Chase, Shane Dowrich, Jason Australian all-rounder saying Formula One’s governing body Holder (capt), , Alzarri Joseph, the onus was on bowlers to said it had opened an investi- . evolve and counter batsmen in gation into Romain Grosjean’s Toss: West Indies (pictured) Umpires: Chris Gaffaney (NZL), Wayne Knights the shorter formats of the game. Bahrain Grand Prix (NZL) Right-handed Maxwell crash yesterday as the French TV umpire: Chris Brown (NZL) switches stance in a flash to driver hailed those who helped Match referee: Jeff Crowe (NZL) transform into a left-hander him escape the fireball. with the bowler well into the Grosjean suffered burns to stride, making field his hands after his Haas car setting impossible against the split in two, penetrating a Williamson’s shot. metal barrier and erupting in Maverick England batsman flames, in Sunday’s race. bat puts NZ Kevin Pietersen was a regular The Frenchman left hos- proponent of the shot, which pital on Wednesday and in an in charge on involves a combination of skill Instagram post accompanying and risk and was deemed legal video footage pointed to “the green strip in 2008 by the MCC, which acts moment I realized I was going as the custodian of ’s Australia’s Glenn Maxwell plays a shot as India’s wicketkeeper Kannaur Rahul (left) looks on during to live’. AFP - HAMILTON laws. the third One-Day International cricket match between Australia and India at Manuka Oval in He highlighted the ‘profes- Maxwell smashed 59 from Canberra on Wednesday. sionalism’ of the marshal with A masterful innings from Kane 38 balls at the Manuka Oval in the extinguisher and FIA Williamson, who was 97 not Canberra during Australia’s doctor Ian Roberts. out at stumps, put New 13-run loss in the third and final Former Australian captain postponed when it became an England and Wales Cricket “I told him he was a hero, Zealand in charge on a day one ODI against India on and commentator Ian Chappell clear the coronavirus pandemic Board statement. “Birmingham he went into the fire as much of the first Test that should Wednesday and his innings feels batsmen take unfair meant fans would not be is a fantastic city and I’m really as he could to save me,” he have belonged to the West included a massive switch-hit advantage of field placements allowed into grounds, with one looking forward to calling Edg- said of Roberts. Indies quicks in Hamilton against spinner Kuldeep Yadav by switching stance at the last of the key aims of the 100 balls baston home. Hopefully we can “I felt Ian’s hands pulling yesterday. that went 100 meters long. moment. per side format to attract new welcome crowds and our new me over the barrier and knew New Zealand closed the “It’s within the laws of the “It is very skilful, some of it’s spectators to cricket. fans to the ground because, I was safe. I remember every day at 243 for two after Wil- game,” Maxwell told reporters. amazingly skilful - but it’s not Zampa had already been having played against England second of it and life will never liamson and Tom Latham (86) “I suppose it’s up to the bowlers fair,” Chappell told Wide World signed up by the Phoenix in a at Edgbaston, I know that the be the same again, but I’m sure laid the platform with a to try and combat that, and the of Sports. “I’d love the admin- televised draft and the leg- atmosphere there is awesome.” for the best,” added the driver. 158-run second skills of bowlers are being istrators who made those laws spinner is now set to honour Gardner added: “We’ve got “I met with death and that partnership. tested every day. to explain to me how that’s fair.” that commitment by playing for the makings of an excellent Bir- is the worst feeling I ever had. Williamson will resume “They’re having to come up Meanwhile Australia duo the Phoenix in 2021, with mingham Phoenix squad and I But I’m alive and will enjoy day two requiring just three with different change-ups and and Ashleigh Gardner joining the franchise can’t wait to get going in next every second of life and every runs to register his 22nd Test different ways to stop batters, Gardner were among several women’s team. year’s competition.” small win in a much better way century, with Ross Taylor 31 and with the way they shut men’s and women’s players “I’m over the moon to know Birmingham-born England from now on.” not out. down one side of the ground yesterday to commit to the Bir- that I’m staying with Bir- all-rounder is set to The International Auto- The lush, green Seddon and what-not. I suppose the mingham Phoenix franchise for mingham Phoenix and to help captain the men’s team in 2021 mobile Federation (FIA) Park wicket had both sides way that batting is evolving, I next year’s inaugural edition of this new team mount a serious while New Zealand all-rounder expected its investigation to dropping specialist spin in think bowling has got to evolve English cricket’s The Hundred. challenge in this first year of Sophie Devine will skipper the take six to eight weeks. favour of all-out pace, and to the same stage.” This year’s competition was The Hundred,” Zampa said in women’s team. It will look at all safety when won the devices, how the safety barrier toss there was no doubt he performed and the role of would make New Zealand bat. track marshals and medical But after a two-hour rain BCCI to discuss adding 2 new teams to IPL intervention team. delay at the start of the day, The body said it would getting maximum use from the REUTERS NEW DELHI work with Formula One, Haas pace, bounce and swing that BCCI treasurer Arun Singh Dhumal said that Indian conglomerates Adani Group and the Grand Prix Drivers’ were potentially on offer India’s cricket board will consider adding that the AGM will be held at the end of and RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group, which Association (GPDA), who had eluded the West Indies, who two new teams to the popular Indian December with Indian media reports owned the Rising Pune Supergiant fran- already been contacted for toiled for nearly six hours for Premier League (IPL) franchise-based saying the date of the meeting has been chise for two IPL seasons, have shown input. little reward. tournament, according to the agenda of fixed for Dec. 24. interest in buying new teams. Grosjean is one of the three The day was further the governing body’s annual general The IPL currently has eight franchises Both companies did not immediately GPDA directors. worsened for the tourists just meeting scheduled to be held later this and its latest edition was held in the United respond to a request for comment. Researchers also have data before stumps when form month. Arab Emirates without fans due to the During the AGM, the BCCI will also from a driver-facing high batsman Darren Bravo was The IPL, which has an estimated brand COVID-19 pandemic. discuss its stand on the possible inclusion speed camera, the in-car stretchered from the field after value of $6.8bn, drew record television “We have been thinking in terms of a of cricket in the 2028 Los Angeles Accident Data Recorder and injuring an ankle. and digital viewership during its 2020 10-team IPL for some time now, and we’d Olympics. Cricket featured at the 1900 in-ear accelerometers that It started well for the West season amid the turmoil of the COVID-19 like to have two new teams from 2021, if Olympics and was played in the 1998 Com- measure head movement. Indies when Shannon Gabriel pandemic. possible,” an IPL governing council monwealth Games but has largely been The FIA said immediately removed New Zealand deb- “Approval on inclusion of 2 (two) new member requesting anonymity told absent from multi-sport events, which after Sunday’s accident that utant Will Young for five on teams to the ” was Reuters. critics say has restricted the sport’s growth the impact measured more the last ball of the fourth over listed on the agenda. Local media has reported in the past beyond its traditional pockets. than 50G, while Haas said the with the score at 14. car’s last recorded speed was 221kph. “With so much data Vet check at QEF's Outdoor Arena available in Formula One, it allows us to accurately determine every element of what occurred and this work has already begun,” said FIA safety director Adam Baker.

Trainers take their horses for vet checks ahead of the fifth round of the Qatar Equestrian Tour - Longines Hathab Supported By The Social and Sport Contribution Fund. The fifth round will be held at QEF's Indoor Arena today and tomorrow.