Aspetar recognised as AFC Medical Centre of Excellence page 15

TUESday, OCTOBER 20, 2020 PSG look to go one better in Champions League

Edinson Cavani trains on Monday ahead of the Manchester United’s UEFA Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain. Cavani swaps life on farm for Man Utd spotlight

Paris Saint-Germain’s forward Kylian Mbappe arrives for a training ses- AFP Jadon Sancho. sion at Saint-Germain-en-Laye, western Paris, on Monday on the eve of Paris Saint-Germain’s Brazilian forward arrives for a training session at Saint-Germain-en-Laye, London Cavani spent the last few UEFA Champions League match against Manchester United. (AFP) western Paris, on Monday. (AFP) months shearing sheep on his Marcus Rashford insists farm back home in Uruguay Edinson Cavani will prove a and indulging his unlikely pas- Maguire out, Fernandes to captain Manchester United in Group H opener in Paris valuable addition for Man- sion for ballet -- even featuring chester United after the vet- in an advert for a Montevideo AFP weaker than it was last season with Italy and could be side- H alongside RB Leipzig and eran Uruguay striker swapped dance school. But, while he rel- Paris as PSG – having already seen lined for up to three weeks, Istanbul Basaksehir. life on the farm for the Old ishes his quiet life away from several key players depart over sports daily L’Equipe reported. Trafford spotlight. football and could easily have Paris Saint-Germain came the summer – have started the Paredes injury a thigh mus- Maguire stays back Cavani signed a two-year slipped into retirement, Ca- so close to winning the prize new campaign hamstrung by cle playing in Friday’s 4-0 win Harry Maguire did not travel contract worth £210,000-per- vani’s love affair with the game they crave more than anything injuries, suspensions and coro- at Nimes in . with the Manchester United week ($271,000) on transfer was strong enough to persuade in last season’s Champions navirus cases. In addition, squad as manager Ole Gun- deadline day and could make him to accept a new challenge League and are hoping to go “We will do everything we striker is absent nar Solskjaer confirmed Bruno his debut in United’s opening with United, regardless of one better this time in group- possibly can and we will never with a knee problem, while the Fernandes will captain the visi- Champions League group game what the critics say. stage opener at home to Man- accept excuses but we have to defensive pair of tors in the French capital. against his former club Paris “I had a lot of different op- chester United on Tuesday. face up to the reality and that and are also on the “We’re a little bit deplet- Saint Germain on Tuesday. portunities, I was excited to play Bayern Munich’s greater is that we have lost players,” Matches Today sidelines. ed but we’ve got more than The 33-year-old missed Sat- in the Premier League and even experience told in Lisbon in coach said ear- Zenit vs Club Brugge However, speaking to re- enough players,” said Solsk- urday’s 4-1 victory at Newcastle more so for Manchester Unit- August, and there were tears lier this month. (7.55pm) porters on Monday, Tuchel jaer, who is without Maguire, – United’s first match since his ed,” Cavani said. at the end for Neymar as the PSG signed two new mid- said Brazil centre-back Mar- Mason Greenwood, Eric Bailly, signing – after going into quar- “I am very motivated be- French champions agonis- fielders, with Portuguese in- Dynamo Kiev vs Juventus quinhos and Germany’s Ju- Jesse Lingard and new signing antine following his arrival in cause I always want to play as ingly lost 1-0 in their first ever ternational Danilo Pereira ar- (7.55pm) lian Draxler had been back in Edinson Cavani for the game. England. But Cavani is expected much as possible, work, train Champions League final. riving on loan from Porto and RB Leipzig vs Istanbul training. “We hope that the players to be available to join Ole Gun- and give the best of myself.” Two months on, Thomas Rafinha joining on a three-year Basaksehir (10pm) “I hope that they will be won’t be away for too long. Ed- nar Solskjaer’s squad in time for Cavani and his girlfriend Tuchel’s side begin their lat- deal from Barcelona. able to play for us tomorrow inson needs a few more days an emotional trip to Paris. contracted COVID-19 over a est bid for European success at Italy striker Rennes vs Krasnador (10pm) (Tuesday),” said Tuchel, who training before maybe we can “I am going to experience month ago after a holiday in Ibi- home in a rematch of the last- was also captured on loan Lazio vs Dortmund (10pm) also has Portugal think about the weekend, hope- an exceptional moment, that za, but he is recovered and ready 16 tie in 2019 which PSG lost to from Everton to strengthen Chelsea vs Sevilla (10pm) Danilo Pereira available for the fully Harry can and Mason as nobody thought would happen. to add his experience and preda- a controversial late penalty. the attack. first time after arriving on loan well but we’re not sure about It will be an incredible thing, tory instincts to a young United It therefore brings back Neymar and Kylian Mbap- PSG vs Man United (10pm) from Porto. that,” added the United man- beautiful emotions,” Cavani team in need of guidance. memories of just one of several pe are still there of course, and Barcelona vs Ferencvaros He was unable to feature ager of the players’ prospects of told TF1 recently. While their free-scoring painful defeats in the Cham- so is Angel di Maria. (10pm) against Nimes after having to being back to face Chelsea on Cavani scored 200 goals in victory at Newcastle suggested pions League in recent years, Meanwhile in the short isolate due to being in contact Saturday. seven years with PSG, but he United already have enough at- but the reality is that Paris term PSG are still missing a with international colleague Fernandes, who scored in left the Ligue 1 champions in tacking talent, the truth is Rash- should be considered favour- host of players for the start of here while he serves a ban do- , who tested the 4-1 weekend win at New- June, missing their run to the ford, Mason Greenwood and ites against the Old Trafford their European campaign. mestically. positive for COVID-19. castle United, described being Champions League final. Daniel James are all still rela- side and to win a group also Influential left-back Juan PSG will have to do without Angel Di Maria is also free given the captain’s armband His age and lack of recent tively raw, capable of excellence containing RB Leipzig and Is- Bernat is out with a knee in- midfield duo from a domestic suspension in Maguire’s absence as “an action -- he hasn’t played since and head-scratching inconsist- tanbul Basaksehir. jury, while midfield duo Marco and , coach as last season’s Champions honour, an important achieve- PSG’s Champions League win ency in equal measure. Yet whether this will be the Verratti and Leandro Paredes Thomas Tuchel has confirmed, League runners-up take on the ment”. over in Rashford hopes Cavani can season that they do go all the are expected to miss Tuesday’s but captain could side who dumped them out of United are returning to the March -- prompted some Unit- emulate the impact made by way remains to be seen. game and Mauro Icardi is ab- return. the competition in the last 16 in Champions League this season ed fans to label Cavani a panic Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who joined Tuchel has been the first sent too. Verratti suffered a leg mus- 2018/19. after missing out in the last buy after their failure to land the club in 2016 having left PSG to complain that his squad is Di Maria, at least, can play cle injury on international duty The sides are in Group campaign. Borussia Dortmund forward as a free agent. Anthony Martial, the kid from Paris suburbs who became a star

AFP Last year, on one trip for PSG, against whom United He joined his local club While Dorian has been a Les Ulis (France) home, Martial coached a team start their European campaign and was already playing with long-time servant of the lo- in a mini “World Cup” organ- this week. But he is one of the older age groups as a seven- cal club, who currently play in Anthony Martial became ised in the Bergeres neigh- many brilliant footballers to year-old. “Everyone could France’s fifth tier, defender Jo- the world’s most expensive bourhood where he grew up. have come out of the suburbs see very early on that he was han played in Ligue 1 for Brest teenager when he joined Man- He also prepared for his return of the French capital, includ- a prodigy,” remembers Wally and Troyes. He now plays sec- chester United from Monaco to Old Trafford by training on ing Thierry Henry and Patrice Bagou, a former coach. ond-tier football for Sochaux. in 2015, but as the forward the pitches of his first club, CO Evra, the latter another ex- On the walls of the club- returns to his native France Les Ulis. United star. ‘Magic potion’ house at Les Ulis, there is a shirt for Tuesday’s Champions When he comes home, Henry and Evra also played Once Martial missed the with Martial’s name on the back League clash with Paris Saint- ‘Toto’ still frequents the same youth football in Les Ulis. start of a semi-final with his alongside a handful of other Germain, the residents of his fast-food joints and devours From his window in the Under-13 team because he names, including those of Evra hometown speak not of an in- ‘pains au chocolat’ with his old apartment block where he was having a trial at Clairefon- and World Cup winner Henry. ternational star but of a young neighbours, the Tenins. grew up, Martial had a view taine, France’s national train- “What do you want me to man who has never let fame go All the locals AFP met of the neighbourhood football ing centre. say? It’s like we have a magic to his head. in Les Ulis describe Martial pitch, where he and his friends “It was 0-0 in the 60th potion here,” smiles Mahama- “Anthony comes back of- as down to earth, even the Baptiste Tenin and Amine Ra- minute when he arrived, dou Niakate, the club’s techni- ten when he has days off, but youngest ones who were born tel played in their spare time jumped over the barrier and cal director. when he does come back he’s after he moved away to join until, the latter recalls, “our came on without warming up. Martial, who has 23 caps not ‘Martial’, he’s ‘Anthony’. the academy at Lyon in 2009. parents called out of the win- The first time the ball came to for France but didn’t feature in He has never become big- From there he joined Monaco, dow for us to go home”. him he scored, and then he the 2018 World Cup, gives hope headed,” his childhood friend who sold him to United when But Martial was a class went off again. We won 1-0,” to the kids of the less-affluent Baptiste Tenin tells AFP. he was 19 for an initial 36 mil- apart on the pitch. says Baptiste. “banlieues” on the outskirts of His parents have moved, lion pounds. “When Dorian (Mar- Martial was brought up Paris. but the 24-year-old Martial “You don’t get the impres- tial’s elder brother) came to with football in the family -- “It proves that just because still returns often to Les Ulis, sion he’s a big star. He is a bit play with his mates, we would his father played at amateur you come from the ‘banlieues’ the working-class town of like one of the neighbours,” politely get out of the way and level while his two elder broth- you can still go on to have suc- 25,000 inhabitants in the sub- says nine-year-old Sirine. France’s forward Anthony Martial (left) vies for the ball with Croatia’s go to play table-tennis. Only ers, Dorian and Johan, “al- cess,” says Fabrice Tenin, an- urbs 30 kilometres (18.6 miles) - In footsteps of Henry, defender Domagoj Vida during the UEFA Nations League match at the Anthony was allowed to play ways had a ball at their feet” other of Martial’s old pals. “It south-west of central Paris. Evra -Martial has never played Maksimir Stadium in Zagreb last Wednesday. (AFP) with the big boys,” Amine says. according to Bagou. offers a glimmer of hope.” Sports Tuesday, October 20, 2020 13 New CL offers fresh start for Barca but few guarantees AFP Bartomeu and the board. he can expect to feature more lingers, with every disap- Madrid “It’s normal for a player to regularly to fill the void at pointment increasing the be a bit sad when a friend of right-back. possibility of him talking to Gerard Pique called for his leaves after the years they “The club is trying to other clubs in January. changes from top to bottom had together but it’s part of change the team,” said Koe- Few could criticise Messi’s but 65 days have passed since football,” said Koeman. man. “There are very young performances since his at- the humilation by Bayern Mu- Messi said last season Bar- players who will get chances.” tempt to leave in the summer nich and Barcelona’s recovery celona were not good enough Barcelona could not af- but his one penalty scored looks far from complete. to win the Champions League ford Lautaro Martinez of in Barcelona’s four opening Eight of the team that and he was proven right, their or Memphis matches this season is cer- started the humiliation in Lis- 8-2 humbling at the hands of Depay at Lyon, leaving Koe- tainly not peak form for the bon remain, despite Pique say- Bayern laying bare the chasm man with a squad that is nei- Argentinian. ing nobody should be safe. in class between the soon-to- ther the one he wanted nor The best chance of him The club’s president, Jo- be-champions and a team that planned for. staying is arguably if Koeman sep Maria Bartomeu remains have only once gone past the Yet his job is still somehow leaves, given the Dutchman’s too, despite more than 16,000 quarter-finals since 2015. to get Barca competing again departure would likely mean members signing a petition to And as Barca get set to go with Europe’s elite. there had been a change of get rid of him. again, their latest European He will be tasked with president. Luis Suarez was pushed tilt beginning against Hunga- making up the gap not only Bartomeu is due to face a out, eventually to Atletico Ma- ry’s Ferencvaros on Tuesday, on Bayern and Paris Saint- vote of no confidence in the drid, and Ronald Koeman re- the worry will be there is little Germain but also the likes of next few weeks after the suc- placed Quique Setien as coach to suggest they are any better Manchester City, who spent cessful petition submitted by in what were the most sig- this time around. 160 million euros in the trans- club members, which means nificant shifts in a supposedly Their biggest summer sign- Barcelona’s Argentine forward (left) and Barcelona’s French midfielder Antoine Griezmann fer window, and Liverpool, the stability of the club’s presi- revolutionary summer. ing, Miralem Pjanic, was the ahead of the Spanish League match against Getafe on Saturday. (AFP) who added Thiago Alcantara, dent, coach and captain are all But Koeman was never go- result of an economic operation once of Barcelona’s youth still up in the air. ing to be an appointment that aimed at balancing the books ‘Trying to change the team’ opening month, the attack- 20-year-old Francisco Trin- teams and now arguably the Two and a half months instantly won over the play- and whether he will be a signifi- Pedri, signed from Las Pal- ing midfielder particularly cao, is not expected to trans- finest midfield in on from the loss to Bayern, ers while Suarez’s exit left Li- cant upgrade on , mas in a deal agreed last impressive in the 1-0 defeat form this team now. the world. a new Champions League onel Messi seething, another who went the other way to Ju- year, has been one of the by Getafe on Saturday. Sergino Dest, the latest ar- And all the while, the offers Barcelona hope but chance duly taken to criticise ventus, is open to question. bright sparks in Barca’s But he is 17 and, like the rival from Ajax, is 19, although uncertain future of Messi few guarantees.

Dynamo Kiev vs Juventus Juventus trust young brigade while awaiting Juve ‘maestro’ Pirlo faces Ronaldo’s return DPA Brescia. Rome The 75-year-old Romani- mentor Lucescu in opener an, who also steered Pisa, Reg- Led by a young coach and giana and Inter Milan, recalled loaded with youngsters, Ju- the qualities of the former star ventus go without veteran star playmaker as he spoke with Cristiano Ronaldo into their .com. Champions League campaign “Pirlo was incredible, ma- opener away to Dynamo Kiev ture. Mature like he is now,” on Tuesday. Lucescu said. , who has “As well as being a creative just started his coaching ca- player, he was someone who or- reer at the club where he won ganised everything, which is yet four Scudetti, has centred the another skill. That has helped squad’s tactics around the him a lot to become what he is Portuguese ace, but must wait today, the coach of a wonderful for the end of his coronavirus team like Juventus.” quarantine, which is also be- Organization and effective ing observed by new midfield tactical ideas will be crucial in signing Weston McKennie. Kiev, as the absence of Ron- Ronaldo reportedly re- aldo adds to the long injury mained asymptomatic and dis- lay-offs of and Juventus’ Italian coach Andrea Pirlo holds a press conference at the played upbeat mood from his . Olympiyskiy stadium in Kiev, Ukraine, on Monday. (AFP) Turin residence, where he re- hopes for a turned to last Wednesday, a day season debut after two and a Dynamo Kiev’s Romanian coach Mircea Lucescu leads a training session at the club’s training ground on the ‘No miracles’ 130 games. The Champions after testing positive while with half months off and veteran outskirts of Kiev on Monday on the eve of the UEFA Champions League match against Juventus. (AFP) But for Pirlo, his Juventus League anthem is like your na- the Portuguese national squad. defender is are “under construction, a tional anthem.” He also had an indirect due back to bring his experi- AFP escu also later coached Pirlo at former players Pep Guar- young team who need to gain Lucescu’s Dynamo are also confrontation on social media ence to a team that started Milan Inter Milan in 1998. diola and ’s experience”. “a very young squad”. with Sports Minister Vincenzo with six players aged between For Lucescu, who won six managerial success remains A season-opening 3-0 win “My aim is to build this Spadafora, who suggested 20 and 23 in Saturday’s 1-1 Andrea Pirlo takes his first league titles as a player with to be seen. over Sampdoria was followed team,” he said. that the footballer’s travels draw at newcomers managerial steps in the Cham- Dinamo in the “It’s possible, I hope he by draws at AS Roma (2-2) and “It’s not possible in football were a possible violation of Crotone. pions League at Dynamo Kiev 1960s and 1970s, seeing Pi- does,” the Romanian told Tu- promoted Crotone (1-1), with to start and get results straight sanitary rules. The disappointing show- on Tuesday, a game which pits rlo on the opposition bench rin daily Tuttosport. two red cards in as many games. away. There are no miracles in Ronaldo has denied any ing dropped the Bianconeri the fledgling Juventus coach comes as no surprise. “But a coach needs at least As models Pirlo cites the football.” irregularity and hopes to re- four points from league lead- against his vastly experienced “I was always convinced he six months to stamp his mark Barcelona teams of Guardiola Over his 40-year career, turn a negative test in time for ers AC Milan, but did not dis- former mentor Mircea Lucescu. would become a coach,” said on a team.” and , Louis van Lucescu has coached the Ro- next week’s clash against Bar- courage Pirlo. Lucescu, 75, and 41-year- Lucescu. Pirlo took over the reign- Gaal’s Ajax, ’s manian and Turkish national celona led by long-time rival “We were reduced to 10 old Pirlo have both taken over “I thought it about Andrea, ing nine-time Serie A cham- AC Milan and ’s teams as well as clubs in Ro- Lionel Messi. [due to dismissals] on two their respective clubs this sea- and also , who pions after Maurizo Sarri was Juventus. But first up are Lu- mania, Italy, Turkey, Ukraine Meanwhile, the visit to occasions: we sacrificed our- son. But while Italy footballing was one of my players at Pisa. sacked following Juventus’ cescu’s Ukrainian league run- and Russia. the Ukrainian League leaders selves both in (a 2-2 at Roma) legend Pirlo never coached be- “Pirlo had a different per- Champions League last 16 exit ners-up. “I find motivation in my brings back teenage memories and (Saturday),” he said, “but fore stepping up at his former sonality than ‘Cholo’ (Simeone) to Lyon. “It’s a competition that I’m passion for football,” he told for Pirlo, now 41, as he meets we are a young team that club, Lucescu has over four but he was just as charismatic Juve hope Pirlo, who won accustomed to,” said Lucescu UEFA.com. “I tried to stop last again Mircea Lucescu, who needs to work. We need to decades experience through- and with a lot of character. a World Cup, two Champions whose appointment as Kiev year, because I’ve worked for coached him in the 1990s at gain experience.” out Europe. “Above all, he never came Leagues and six Italian league boss had sparked an uproar 50 years without a break, but And it was the former Ro- on the pitch to do nothing, he titles as a player, can transmit after his successful 12-year it was impossible. manian international who was decisive. his vision of the game. spell in charge of bitter rivals “I wanted to come back, gave a 16-year-old Pirlo his “As well as being a creative The team are chasing a Shakhtar , where he there was so much I could still first Serie A start in the Ital- player, he was someone who third Champions League ti- won the 2009 UEFA Cup. give to football, especially to ian’s hometown club Brescia organised everything, which is tle after 1985 and 1996, with “It’s a competition that young players. 25 years ago. yet another skill.” seven runners-up finishing in- I’m accustomed to. I’ve “So, I came back and I feel The much-travelled Luc- Whether he can follow cluding in 2015 and 2017. been involved in more than good being back at work.” Liverpool’s Van Dijk vows to return stronger

DPA Liverpool manager Juer- and so that’s OK and the rest is London gen Klopp did not say when football and life, like always a Van Dijk would be having his challenge, so see what you get Portugal forward and Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo. Liverpool defender Virgil operation but admitted he and then make the best of it and van Dijk has vowed to return would be out for a significant that’s what we do now. stronger after learning he will length of time. “We are there for him, he need surgery on his knee. “He will be out for a pretty knows that ... meanwhile, all The Dutchman suffered long time and that’s what the what we can do to make it as Quick read an anterior cruciate liga- situation is,” Klopp said. “I easy for him as possible.” Germany, Netherlands, Belgium launch ment (ACL) injury after a expected it pretty much on Liverpool have asked the joint bid for 2027 Women’s World Cup reckless challenge from Ever- Saturday after the game im- Premier League to review the ton goalkeeper Jordan Pick- mediately, especially when I use of the video assistant ref- Berlin: The German football association (DFB) announced Mon- ford in their Premier League saw the challenge back. eree in the incident. But ac- day a joint bid with Belgium and the Netherlands to host the 2027 clash on Saturday. “So we feel now in this mo- cording to widespread media Women’s World Cup. “We are delighted to have joined our Dutch In a statement on his social ment extremely, extremely for reports Monday, the Football friends and will do our utmost to support this project,” DFB presi- media feed, Van Dijk said he him because most of us were Association said it will not be dent Fritz Keller said in a statement. The Dutch FA (KNVB) already had met with a consultant and in a similar situation and we taking any retrospective action stated its desire to host the 2027 finals back in 2018 and secured would return from surgery as Liverpool’s Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk leaves the field injured dur- know that these situations are against Pickford because the parliamentary support in the Netherlands. soon as he can. ing the English Premier League match against Everton at Goodison absolutely rubbish.” The Ger- incident was seen by match of- The bid is set to be fronted by three former players in Germany’s Silvia “I’m now fully focused on Park in Liverpool, England, on Saturday. (AFP) man said Van Dijk had the sup- ficials at the time. Neid, Femke Maes from Belgium and ex-Dutch midfielder Sarina Wieg- my recovery and will do every- port of everyone at the club. Champions Liverpool are man. Germany hosted the 2006 men’s World Cup, the women’s finals thing I can to be back as soon God’s help I’m going to make and keep level-headed wheth- “You don’t need it but you third with 10 points from five in 2011 and will hold the men’s European Championship in 2024. as possible,” he said. sure I return better, fitter and er going through the highs and have to get over it and Virgil will games after Saturday’s 2-2 The Netherlands hosted, and won, the women’s Euros in 2017, but “Despite the obvious dis- stronger than ever before. lows.” Pickford escaped pun- get over it, 100 per cent, and to- derby draw at Goodison Park. Belgium has never hosted a major women’s tournament. The three appointment, I’m a firm be- “In football, as in life, I ishment for the tackle because day is already the first day, if Everton top the table on 13, partners have already presented their plans to FIFA, as well as Euro- liever that within difficulty think everything happens for a it happened after Van Dijk was you want, of the recovery. “We one more than Aston Villa who pean football’s governing body UEFA, the DFB added. (AFP) lies opportunity, and with reason and it’s important to try adjudged to have been offside. go already in the right direction have a game in hand. 14 Tuesday, October 20, 2020 Sports Al Arabi edge Umm Salal for first win of the new season

Tribune News Network Al Rayyan to a 1-1 draw in the Al Rayyan down Brahimi in the 37th minute. Doha 2020-21 season Ooredoo Cup Wakrah 1-0 Four minutes later, on 14 October. Al Rayyan beat Al Wakrah 1-0 Al Wakrah’s spearhead Mo- Al Arabi lifted themselves off Umm Salal had only the in their Week 4 match at the Al hamed Benyettou hit the side- the bottom of the table with point that they had earned Gharafa Stadium on Monday. netting off a rebound from the their first QNB Stars League from their goalless draw with Yohan Boli netted the all- left upright. win of the season at the Grand Al Khor in Week 2. The Or- important goal in the 49th Al Rayyan upped their Hamad Stadium on Monday. ange Fortress lost 0-3 to Al minute as Al Rayyan, the pre- ante in the second and At the fourth time of ask- Duhail in its opening and then vious season’s league runners- were soon rewarded as Boli ing, the Dream Team claimed 0-2 to Al Wakrah in Week 3. up, now have seven points. was spot-on for a pass from three points with a 2-1 victory From the start, it was Al Al Wakrah are on six Naif Abdulraheem, giving against Umm Salal, who have Arabi who pressed forward points. goalkeeper Saoud Al Khat- dropped to the basement spot. without being able to create Al Rayyan were held 1-1 by er no chance. It was a last-gasp winner aclear- chances for the goal. Al Sailiya in their opener, but The Ivory Coast striker at- from Mehrdad Mohammadi Al Arabi had more of the ball they put that defeat behind them tempted a similar shot in the in the fourth minute of added (62%) in the match, but they by defeating Al Gharafa 3-1. 66th minute, but the ball went time that gave Icelandic coach had to wait until death to However, The Lions, over the bar. Heimir Hallgrímsson relief script a dramatic victory. coached by Uruguayan Diego Al Wakrah’s Omar Ali following a dismal start with Aron Gunnarsson and Al Aguirre, lost 0-1 to Qatar SC in came up with a header in the two defeats and a draw. Ansari sent their shots wide Week 3 after which the QNB 82nd minute, too feeble to test Abdulaziz Al Ansari scored in the first half, while fresh re- Stars League took a break. Al Rayyan goalkeeper Fahad the opening goal just before cruit Mahdi Torabi impressed Al Wakrah, who upset Younis. the the break in the first half with his skills. reigning champions Al Duhail Al Wakrah desperately for Al Arabi before Abdennour Ismail Mahmoud twice Al Arabi players celebrate their second goal against Umm Salal during their QNB Stars League clash at the 1-0 in Week 2, had lost 1-2 to sought an equaliser, which Belhocini pulled one back for made attempts at the goal at Grand Hamad Stadium on Monday. Al Arabi won 2-1. Al Ahli in their opener, but never came. Umm Salal in the 68th minute the other end. beat Umm Salal 2-0 in Week 3. Deep into stoppage time with a penalty. It was Al Ansari’s goal, In the second half, Al Ara- when Khalaf Saad of Al Arabi executed bicycle kick beat Not many opportunities when Al Wakrah threw every- The Dream Team entered a header from Mehrdad ‘s bi continued their attacking ‘handled the ball’ on the edge Umm Salal goaltender Baba came the teams’ way in a bar- thing into attack, Al Rayyan’s the game, losing the 2019-20 free-kick that ensured Arabi ways, but Umm Salal man- of the penalty box. Malick’s hands down after Ab- ren first half. Abdulaziz Hatem scored a goal season Ooredoo Cup final to Al went into the break with a aged to draw level through the When the game headed for dullah Al Marafi crossed the Boli headed against the off a counter-attack, but was Sadd by a 0-4 margin, but held deserved lead. penalty awarded by Belhocini a draw, Mehrdad’s brilliantly ball from the right. right post off a free-kick by disallowed for offside. West Brom, Burnley share PL season’s first goalless draw AFP London ‘Roger Federer Arena’ plan

West Bromwich Albion and fails to rally signatures Burnley played out the Pre- mier League’s first goalless AFP streets, squares and the like draw this season as the strug- Geneva after public figures is typically gling teams remained without a posthumous honour. a top-flight win after Monday’s A push to rename Basel’s main The idea to change the stalemate. sports arena after local tennis arena’s name has been float- After a glut of goals across superstar Roger Federer fell ing around since 2012 but all the Premier League since the through on Monday after it attempts have so far flopped. new season started in Septem- failed to garner enough signa- The initiators believe the ber, the entertainment dried tures. move would have a positive up at the Hawthorns. Hampered by the corona- impact on the city, tourism Between them West Brom virus pandemic, Federer fans and tennis. They nonetheless and Burnley had conceded fell 1,800 signatures short of submitted their petition to the a combined 21 goals in their the 3,000 required to trigger Basel City cantonal authorities opening seven games. a local public vote on the pro- on Monday in the hope that But the 47th match of the posal. But hopes that the St. the request will be met. Premier League campaign Jakobshalle will be renamed The 12,400-capacity St. ended without an entry in the he Roger Federer Arena are Jakobshalle opened in 1976. scoresheet. still burning despite the set- The arena completed a West Brom’s Karlan Grant back, Swiss news agency ATS three-year renovation in 2018 was denied a debut goal by a reported. at a cost of around 100 million tight offside call, while Chris St. Jakobshalle hosts the Swiss francs ($110 million). Wood hit the bar for the visitors. Swiss Indoors men’s tennis The last time Federer The pair remain winless tournament, which reigning played the Swiss Indoors and in the league this season, with champion Federer won for the failed to reach the final was Burnley claiming their first 10th time last year. in 2003. Currently the world point after three defeats to lift Basel-born Federer, 39, number four, Federer has won them off the bottom of the table. used to live in the suburb 20 Grand Slam singles titles – But a draw did little to kick- where the hall is located. As a a record now shared with Ra- start either side’s season as Al- youngster, he spent two years fael Nadal after the Spaniard’s bion continue to wait for their Burnley’s English goalkeeper Nick Pope catches the ball during the English Premier League match against West Bromwich Albion at The Haw- as a ball boy at the Swiss In- 2020 French Open victory. first victory since promotion. thorns stadium in West Bromwich, England, on Monday. (AFP) doors and nowadays holds a He topped the 2020 Forbes It was Burnley who created post-tournament pizza party list of highest-paid athletes, the best chance of a forgettable Grant showed his threat an offside flag. was blocked and Matheus found Wood unmarked at the for the ball boys and girls in raking in pre-tax earnings of first half when Ashley Barnes’ when Grady Diangana picked Burnley keeper Nick Pope Pereira’s effort was parried far post in the closing stages, homage to his formative years $106.3 million – with $100 mil- fierce angled drive was beaten him out to head in, only for his saved well to spark a scramble away. but the Burnley striker headed crouching at the net. lion coming from appearance away by Sam Johnstone. celebrations to be cut short by as Branislav Ivanovic’s shot Ashley Westwood’s cross against the bar. In Switzerland, renaming fees and endorsement deals. LA Dodgers hope to end World Series drought against Rays AFP Astros in 2017 -- the Astros Baseball: 2020 World Series schedule Arlington (US) triumph later tainted by rev- elations of electronically aided Game 1 Tuesday: Tampa Bay Rays v Los Angeles Dodgers The Los Angeles Dodgers sign-stealing that season. Game 2 Wednesday: Tampa Bay Rays v Los Angeles Dodgers have yet another shot at Ma- In 2018 it was the Boston Game 3 Friday: Los Angeles Dodgers v Tampa Bay Rays jor League Baseball’s biggest Red Sox who denied the Dodg- Game 4 Saturday: Los Angeles Dodgers v Tampa Bay Rays Game 5 Sunday: Los Angeles Dodgers v Tampa Bay Rays (if necessary) prize as they ride a wave of ers. This time the Dodgers, one Game 6 October 27: Tampa Bay Rays v Los Angeles Dodgers (if necessary) momentum into their 2020 of the richest teams in Major Game 7 October 28: Tampa Bay Rays v Los Angeles Dodgers (if necessary) World Series clash with the League Baseball, will be up Tampa Bay Rays. against a low-budget but high- A Dodgers team that came ly talented Rays team that built Kershaw, a generational “But the job’s not done. up short in baseball’s champi- the best record in the Ameri- pitching talent who is still The goal isn’t to get to the onship showcase in 2017 and can League in the coronavirus weeking to cement his legacy World Series, it’s to win the 2018 looked as if they wouldn’t pandemic shortened season. with a World Series title. World Series.” even make it to the World Series The Rays had the third- The Dodgers have carried If they can do it, the Dodg- when they fell 3-1 behind the lowest Opening Day payroll in a heavy weight of expectation ers will deliver a second major Atlanta Braves in the National the major leagues according to since finishing the regular sea- title of the season to Los Ange- League Championship Series. Spotrac at $28.2 million. son with baseball’s best record les sports fans who saw their But Los Angeles roared In the playoffs they of 43-17. beloved Lakers win the NBA back, capping a three-game knocked off the Toronto Blue Hernandez said their championship for the first winning streak with a 4-3 Jays ($54.4 million), New comeback from 3-1 down time since 2010. game-seven triumph on York Yankees ($109.4 million) in the NLCS has tempered Like the Lakers in the Sunday aided by home runs and Houston Astros ($82.5 Randy Arozarena of the Tampa Bay Rays hitting a two run home run against the Houston Astros during the team. NBA’s quarantine bubble in from Enrique Hernandez million). the first inning in Game Seven of the American League Championship Series at PETCO Park on Saturday, “Everybody was expecting Orlando, Florida, the Dodgers and Cody Bellinger. In the Dodgers they’ll face 2020 in San Diego, California. Arozarena clubbed a two-run homer in the first inning and Charlie Morton us to get to the World Series,” will be battling in neutral terri- “This year is our year,” the team with the second-high- worked 5 2/3 solid innings as the Tampa Bay Rays advanced to their second World Series in club history Hernandez said. “We were ex- tory against the Rays at Globe Dodgers manager Dave Rob- est payroll at $107.9 million. with a 4-2 win over the Houston Astros. (GETTY IMAGES/AFP) pecting us to get to the World Life Field in Arlington, Texas. erts choked out as the team Tampa Bay’s victory over Series, to the point that when Thanks to the pandemic, accepted the National League the Astros in the American time in their 22-year history. post-season games. Cash said. “For a group that we were down, 3-1, we hadn’t the home of the Texas Rangers pennant. “This is our year!” League Championship Series They fell to the Philadel- Pitcher Charlie Morton doesn’t have a wealth of expe- gone through any adversity is being used as the first neu- The Dodgers endured was a gut-wrenching affair. phia Phillies in 2008. adds a dash of veteran experi- rience in these roles, Charlie throughout the season. tral World Series site in mod- heartbreak in recent years as The Rays took a series Rookie Randy Arozarena ence. He pitched 5 2/3 shut- does. He’s been there, done “It was time to get it done. ern MLB history. they sought the club’s seventh lead before the Astros won epitomizes the young talent out innings in the Rays’ series that and lined up really well By then, we had nothing to lose Some 11,500 fans will be World Series title -- but first three straight to force game that has buoyed the Rays. Af- clinching victory over the As- for us.” – they have something to lose, allowed in per game, scat- since 1988. seven, the Rays finally com- ter hitting seven home runs tros. The Dodgers’ wealth of they shouldn’t lose this series. tered around a ballpark They lost a decisive sev- ing out on top to reach the in 23 regular-season con- “We’re lucky to have Char- experienced big-game con- We took it one inning at a time that can accommodate more enth game to the Houston World Series for the second tests, he has hit seven in 14 lie Morton,” manager Kevin tenders includes Clayton and were able to pull it off. than 40,000. Sports Tuesday, October 20, 2020 15 Roglic in Aspetar recognised as AFC contention for Vuelta a Espana’s Medical Centre of Excellence epic mountain challenges

AFP Paris

Rescheduled and rerout- ed, the Vuelta a Espana sets off from the Basque Country on Tuesday with defending Mohammed Khalifa Al Suwaidi, champion Primoz Roglic vy- General Director, Aspetar. ing for the winner’s red jersey after his dramatic capitulation Tribune News Network in the Tour de France. Doha The chasing pack includes a back-from-injury Chris Froome The Asian Football Confed- in his last major race for Team eration’s (AFC) commitment AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa. Ineos before the four-time Tour towards ensuring world-class de France winner leaves for Is- healthcare to the Continent’s rael Start-Up Nation. teams and players was further As one of our long-standing partners, Roglic looked set to win underlined with the recogni- the Tour de France last month tion of Aspetar, Orthopaedic Aspetar has already grown to take its position as until the rider, who will turn and Sports Medicine Hospital AFC General-Secretary Dato’ Windsor John, in a special video message to Aspetar, added: “World-class one of the leaders in protecting the wellbeing of 31 later in October, fell apart in Qatar as part of the AFC’s teams and players require world-class medical treatment and care and there has never been a sharper players and the AFC would like to thank Aspetar on a stunning penultimate Medical Centre of Excellence focus on the health, wellbeing, and rehabilitation of our players than during this pandemic. day, opening the way for fel- network in a virtual ceremony and the Qatar Football Association for sharing our low Slovenian Tadej Pogacar held on Monday. Aspetar, Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital of Qatar, will now be part belief and vision. to take victory. Aspetar will now be part Since then Roglic has re- of the network of established of the network of established medical centres under the AFC Medical Centre Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, President, AFC. stored some pride by winning medical centres under the AFC of Excellence which was launched in 2018 to provide better healthcare for the Belgian one-day classic Medical Centre of Excellence the continent’s footballers by recognising medical centres in Asia which Liege-Bastogne-Liege, profit- which was launched in 2018 to As the first FIFA Medi- world, we believe at Aspetar ing from Julian Alaphilippe’s provide better healthcare for demonstrate leadership in clinical research and education expertise as cal Centre of Excellence ac- that we can bring our experi- premature celebrations to nip the continent’s footballers by well as injury-prevention and management measures. credited in the Middle East, ence in sports medicine and past the Frenchman on the line. recognising medical centres in Aspetar’s partnership with sports science to serve football Organiers of the Vuelta, the Asia which demonstrate lead- players and the AFC would it is vital that we continue to search collaboration in the the AFC has enabled major in Asia, there’s so much that last of cycling’s big three tours, ership in clinical research and like to thank Aspetar and the expand our network of AFC Continent.” advances in the treatment and can be done,” he added. have swatted away a series of education expertise as well as Qatar Football Association for Medical Centres of Excellence As one of the AFC’s long- care of Asian footballers. This Aspetar is the world’s lead- disruptions from COVID-19. injury-prevention and man- sharing our belief and vision.” to ensure that more players standing partners, Aspetar includes the development of ing specialised sports medi- The planned August start in agement measures. Echoing the AFC Presi- can gain greater access to the continues to support the de- football medicine, applied re- cine hospital and is one of few the Netherlands was switched AFC President Shaikh Sal- dent’s message, AFC General- highest standards of medical velopment of Asian football by search and player education hospitals to have received both to October 20 in Spain and man bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa Secretary Dato’ Windsor John, attention and treatment. contributing to sports medi- across the Continent as well FIFA and IOC international then a three-day foray into said: “The AFC’s vision and in a special video message to “The AFC acknowledges cine knowledge and scientific as supporting players from the recognition. Portugal was slashed. mission has set out our ob- Aspetar, added: “World-class the crucial role of Aspetar research, and by organising grassroots to the elite level. Since opening its doors, jectives to ensure the success teams and players require and all our Medical Centres several key scientific events. Mohammed Khalifa Al Aspetar has grown into one of our teams, players and of- world-class medical treatment of Excellence in raising the The AFC and Aspetar have Suwaidi, Aspetar General Di- of the most reputable medi- ficials and sports medicine and care and there has never standards in sports science also been collaborating on sev- rector, said: “It is an honour cal facilities in the delivery of plays an important role in this been a sharper focus on the and medicine in Asia and eral projects for more than a to receive such a high recogni- excellence in sports medicine, journey. health, wellbeing, and reha- their commitment to the care decade, including the initia- tion of our work and expertise physiotherapy, sports science, “As one of our long-stand- bilitation of our players than of players. We are confident tion of the AFC/Aspetar Injury and to join such an exclusive orthopaedic surgery and reha- ing partners, Aspetar has al- during this pandemic. that with this recognition, As- and Illness Surveillance Study network of sports medicine bilitation. The hospital’s mis- ready grown to take its posi- “Asia is a vast continent petar will continue to elevate in 2017 and organising a series centres of excellence. sion is to help athletes reach tion as one of the leaders in and sports medicine is a con- football and sports medicine of medical conferences and “We are one of the leading their full potential and achieve protecting the wellbeing of stantly evolving discipline, so through education and re- workshops. sports medicine centres in the optimum performance.

Primoz Roglic.

In a radical move, the Indian Premier League Vuelta has banned the public- ity caravan that precedes each stage and spectators will be barred from nine of the moun- Dhoni admits to Super Kings’ tainsides where the travelling enthusiasts normally gather. Facial recognition tech- nology will be used instead of failure after Royals thumping pens to reduce the risk of in- fection. Riders usually register AFP with a signature, needing to Dubai use a pen and paper. Instead a computer will analyse the rid- Pakistan’s ODI captain Babar Azam with Shadab Khan. Mahendra Singh Dhoni ers’ physical characteristics. admitted on Monday that Spain is battling one of Chennai Super Kings have the highest rates of coronavi- Pakistan rest Amir, not lived up to their billing rus infection in the European this Indian Premier League Union. season after the three-time The 22 teams of eight rid- Malik, Sarfaraz for winners were outclassed by ers will not venture further Rajasthan Royals. south than Madrid on a gruel- Chennai skipper Dhoni’s ling route of 2,882 kilometres Zimbabwe series 200th match in the Twenty20 that features eight hilly and five tournament turned out to be a mountainous stages. A long AFP low as 14 in ODIs and 11 in damp squib as his team lost by and lonely individual time-trial Karachi Twenty20s, arrive in Islama- seven wickets in Abu Dhabi to could decide the winner. bad on Tuesday and quaran- slip to the bottom of the table. Fears the stars would fail Pakistan on Monday opted tine for a week. Jos Buttler’s unbeaten to show up have not material- to rest senior players Shoaib The remaining one-day 70 and disciplined bowling ised as Giro winners Tom Du- Malik, Mohammad Amir matches will also be played helped the Steve Smith-led moulin and Richard Carapaz and Sarfaraz Ahmed for their in Rawalpindi on November 1 Royals dominate the game af- top the roster while climbers limited over series at home and 3. The three Twenty20 in- ter being put into field first. such as Spaniard Enric Mas against lowly-ranked Zimba- ternationals are in Lahore on “It’s fair enough, this season and Frenchman Thibaut Pinot bwe starting later this month. November 7, 8 and 10. we weren’t there,” a disappoint- add to the lustre. Head coach and chief se- Rookie batsman Abdullah ed Dhoni said after Chennai’s Froome’s appearance pro- lector Misbah-ul-Haq said Shafique, who turns 21 next seventh loss from 10 matches. Chennai Super Kings skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni fails to make ground and is run out by Rajasthan Roy- vides interest as he bids to over- it was a “strategic decision” month, has earned a maiden “Also there were few als wicket-keeper Sanju Samson during their Indian Premier League match in Abu Dhabi on Monday. come horrible injuries from a to allow younger players a call after scoring 358 runs with chances to the youngsters and high-speed crash last year. It chance to feature in upcoming a hundred in ten matches in maybe we didn’t see the kind “Shreyas (Gopal) last two will give fans the chance to see matches. the National Twenty20 which of spark that they could have years has been sensational for if the seven-time Grand Tour Tho two sides will play concluded on Sunday. given us to say okay, to push us and (Rahul) Tewatia this winner, who was dropped from three One-day internationals Nineteen-year-old wick- (out) the experienced guys, year whether batting, bowling Ineos’ Tour de France lineup and three Twenty20 games, etkeeper batsman Rohail Na- and maybe make space for or fielding, has done the job. this year, is back on top form with the 22-man squad also zir who is a former Pakistan’s them (youngsters).” Buttler’s innings took the pres- when two mountainous stages allowing for new players to try Under-19 team skipper also Dhoni, 39, said his team, sure off me at the other end.” are followed by a draining indi- out in the shortest format. earned a call. dubbed as the “Dad’s Army” by Leg-spinners Shreyas Go- vidual time-trial mid-race. “We are trying some new Babar Azam will lead the the media, will give the young- pal and Rahul Tewatia were It is the kind of contrasting players in Twenty20s but not team in both ODIs and Twen- sters a go in the remaining miserly in their eight overs, giv- terrain where Froome, now in the ODIs because they lead ty20 internationals. games of the league as Chennai ing away just 32 runs between 35, once so often destroyed his towards automatic qualifica- Squad: Babar Azam (captain), still have an outside chance to them and took a wicket each. rivals. tion for the ICC Cricket World Abdullah Shafiq, Abid Ali, Fakhar progress to the play-offs. Chennai’s top-order failed “It remains to be seen, Cup 2023 and are more im- Zaman, Haider Ali, Haris Sohail, “Today the result what it to fire and Dhoni’s run-a-ball I think it’s possible,” said portant,” Misbah said in a Iftikhar Ahmed, Imam-ul-Haq, really does is give those guys 28 and an unbeaten 35 from Froome of his chances of vic- press conference in Lahore. Khushdil Shah, Mohammad (youngsters), whatever is left a total Royals surpassed with made 26, after Royals lost Ravindra Jadeja gave the team tory. “It’s been a very strange The ODIs – starting in Raw- Hafeez, Mohammad Rizwan, in our league stage, a chance 2.3 overs to spare and move to three early wickets. total some respect. year, so who knows.” alpindi on October 30 – are part Rohail Nazir, Imad Wasim, and they play without pres- fifth spot in 10 matches. “I thought we bowled pret- Scores: Rajasthan Royals 126 The 2020 Vuelta actually of the ODI League from where Shadab Khan, Usman Qadir, Za- sure,” said the veteran wicket- Buttler, who came to bat ty well in the powerplay and for 3 (Buttler 70*, Smith 26*, starts five days before the Giro the top seven out of 13 teams far Gohar, Faheem Ashraf, Haris keeper-batsman. at number five rather than his the spinners did a good job in Chahar 2-18) beat Chennai d’Italia ends after a tightly will qualify for the 2023 World Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Jofra Archer led Royals’ usual opening slot, put on an the middle with their leggies Super Kings 125 for 5 (Jadeja packed rescheduling of the Cup to be hosted by India. Musa Khan, Shaheen Shah, bowling with figures of 1-20 to unbeaten 98-run stand with and googlies and squeezing,” 35*, Gopal 1-14, Tewatia 1-18) main races of the season be- Zimbabwe, who rank as Wahab Riaz. restrict Chennai to 125 for five, skipper Steve Smith, who said Smith. by seven wickets. cause of the pandemic.