Rohit topscores in India’s big win over Kiwis in 2nd ODI PAGE 18

SUNDAY, JANUARY 27, 2019

Abdulla al Qubaisi registers first double win in Superstock 600 PAGE 18 AUSTRALIAN OPEN MEN’S FINAL (11.30AM) We want to keep going: Almoez AFC World No. 1 ABU DHABI

RED-HOT striker wants Qatar to continue to reach new heights, after they rank awaits stormed into the AFC Asian Cup semi-finals for the first time in history with a 1-0 win against Korea Republic on Friday. Naomi Osaka A searing 78th-minute strike from Abdelaziz Hatim ultimately secured the win for AFP Felix Sanchez’s side, to elimi- MELBOURNE nate the 2015 runners-up and After winning the US Open Naomi Osaka make it five consecutive wins JAPAN’S Naomi Osaka said became a star. And now, after winning the in the competition. she was “in a state of shock” Ali, a breakout star in the on Saturday after holding her Australian Open and becoming world number 1, UAE with seven goals in five We hope not to stop at nerve to battle past Petra Kvi- she is a superstar! Congrats Champ. matches, revealed his delight the semi-finals and tova and win the Australian at the achievement, and said Open in a three-set thriller 18-time Grand Slam champion Martina Navratilova he wants his side to make fur- continue beyond that. that also gives her the world ther history in the competi- We are one of the best number one ranking. tion, starting with Tuesday’s four teams in Asia at The fourth seed and US semi-final against host nation this very second, (but) Open champion triumphed United Arab Emirates. we respect all teams 7-6 (7/2), 5-7, 6-4 in a 2hr “We are proud of this,” 27min epic over the Czech said the Al Duhail forward. and will be ready. eighth seed to claim back-to- “We’ve got to thank the play- Qatar striker Almoez Ali back Grand Slams and be- ers for implementing all of the come the first Asian, male or coach’s instructions. female, to hold the top spot. “We hope not to stop at the Melbourne Park erupted semi-finals and continue be- in thunderous cheers as the yond that.” Japanese youngster fell to Seven goals in the group one knee, head bowed, before stage, including a stunning Almoez Ali during the Asian Cup 2019 quarter-final match against South Korea in Abu Dhabi on Friday. collecting the trophy from haul of four in Qatar’s 6-0 win China’s Li Na – who lifted the against DPR Korea, means the pated, but he says the exem- single goal so I’ve got to score Championship semi-final defeat same silverware in 2014 to 22-year-old is just one short of plary performances of Qatar’s up front in order for them to perhaps fresh in his mind – the become the first Asian to win Ali Daei’s tournament record defensive unit, who are yet feel comfortable at the back.” forward’s confidence is tem- a major. tally of eight, set when the to concede a goal, are the key The exploits of Ali and his pered by a sense of readiness. It was a cathartic moment UAE last hosted the AFC Asian reason for the side’s success. teammates have the nation on “We are one of the best for 21-year-old Osaka, whose Cup in 1996. “It’s a great feeling but it’s the verge of a first major inter- four teams in Asia at this very breakthrough Grand Slam As a result, Ali’s matches thanks to the boys’ efforts,” he national final at senior level, but second, (but) we respect all win at Flushing Meadows was have become keenly antici- said. “They did not concede a – with Qatar’s 2018 AFC U-23 teams and will be ready.” marred by boos in the wake of losing finalist Serena Wil- liams’ tirade at the umpire. Rather than tearfully hid- ing her face as she did in New York, Osaka beamed with joy at a win she said was still Naomi Osaka of Japan during the presentation of the winner’s trophy Bassam certain he will get sinking in. after defeating Petra Kvitova of Czech Republic in the women’s singles “I felt like I was in a state final at the Australian Open in Melbourne on Saturday.(EPA-EFE) of shock through the entire trophy presentation,” the Osaka is the youngest Grand Slam final again.” 21-year-old said. woman to win back-to-back The pair had never met a final chance to shine Osaka was reluctant to majors since Martina Hin- before and Osaka initially say how she felt compared to gis in 1998 and the youngest struggled to unlock the lanky REUTERS to play in the final and backed Flushing Meadows but be- number one since Caroline left-hander’s serve, while ABU DHABI team mate Ali Afif’s assertion lieved she and Kvitova were Wozniacki in 2010. Kvitova at times could not that Qatar would be taking the fairly supported in Melbourne. Her gutsy performance handle her opponent’s pow- BASSAM al Rawi’s free kicks I won’t play in the semi-final trophy back to for the “In New York, most of confirms her status as the erful returns. have played a big part in Qatar but Inshallah, I will get a fans who have not travelled the crowd was for Serena and leading light of tennis’ new The Czech blew three getting to the last four of the chance to take a free kick because of a political rift with here it felt like it was split a generation. break chances in a crunch Asian Cup and even though in the final. the UAE. little bit,” she said. “Well, after winning the US sixth game as the first set went the defender will miss their “I won’t play in the semi- “Honestly, when I was Open Naomi Osaka became a to a tie-break, which Osaka semi-final, he is certain his Bassam al Rawi final but Inshallah, I will get playing and I heard the star. And now, after winning ran away with it 7-2, taking the team mates will ensure he gets a chance to take a free kick in crowd was for both of us I the Australian Open and be- first set the Czech conceded in a chance to play in the final. the final,” he said. was very happy but at the coming world number 1, she is the entire tournament. The 21-year-old scored ble because his father played “We have players who will same time I was trying to fo- a superstar! Congrats Champ,” Kvitova regrouped with Qatar’s first goal of the tourna- for Iraq in the 1990s. take my place and will do a good cus on the match.” 18-time Grand Slam winner an early break in the second ment by curling the ball over While there have been job and I think we will do it. A rattled Osaka almost Martina Navratilova tweeted. but Osaka did not panic, im- the Lebanon wall in their open- questions raised on social me- “We are a family here. If blew her title hopes with one Kvitova can console her- mediately breaking back. ing group match and secured dia about his eligibility to play someone in the national team hand on the trophy when she self with a career-best per- The Japanese star broke their place in the quarter-finals for Qatar under Asian Foot- speaks about (winning the failed to convert three cham- formance at Melbourne Park, again to take control as Kvi- with another beauty against ball Confederation rules, there cup), he speaks for all the play- pionship points leading 5-3 where she did not drop a set tova’s error rate climbed, former champions Iraq. can be no doubting where the ers, and I think he is right.” in the second set. on her way to the final. bringing up three champi- A second yellow card on player’s loyalties lie. Bassam’s comments re- The never-say-die Kvi- It was her first Grand onship points. But the Czech Friday in the 1-0 win over “I play for the Qatar na- flect the tight-knit team spirit tova forced a deciding set Slam decider since a burglar saved all of them. South Korea, though, means he tional team and I am proud to Spanish coach Felix Sanchez before Osaka finally edged slashed her racquet hand in She then won four will miss Tuesday’s match-up be a part of this country, I am has fostered in a squad in ahead with a decisive break a 2016 knife attack and the straight games to win the set against hosts the United Arab happy to live in Qatar and play which many of the younger early in the third. Czech has shown she is again as Osaka left the court with a Emirates but that did nothing for the team,” he added. players have been under his “Of course I felt very dis- a contender at the majors. towel draped over her head. to take the gloss off his joy. “I don’t care what people guidance since childhood. appointed and sad when I had “Thank you for sticking She regained her cool and “I feel amazing today, I’m deserved to win, we deserved say about where I come from. “We have worked with this three match points,” she said. with me even when we didn’t clipped a clean backhand so happy,” he told Reuters to go to the semi-final. It’s the Yes, I was born in Iraq but I coach since we were nine years “I tried to tell myself know if I would able to hold a winner to take a break point with a huge beam on his face. first time Qatar have been to moved to Qatar when I was a old, he knows what we don’t like, there’s nothing I can do racquet again,” Kvitova told her in the third game of the de- “I’m so proud of my team, the semi-final, I’m so happy. child, I’ve lived there ever since what we like,” Bassam added. about it. I had to regroup team, with her voice cracking. cider and was up to the task everyone is happy in Qatar. “We celebrated like crazy.” and I have a Qatari passport.” “We know what he wants and told myself I didn’t want “It’s crazy. I can hardly when Kvitova forced her to Today we played an amazing Bassam’s goal in the quar- Bassam said he was cer- from us so it’s very nice. He’s any regrets. believe that I just played in a serve for the match. game, we played like lions. We ter-final was particularly nota- tain he would get the chance like a father.” And then there were four – Asian Cup 2019 hits semi-final stage

DPA ital, in the showpiece Zayed pion’s character,” coach Alber- “Playing tough matches ABU DHABI Sports City Stadium, while to Zaccheroni said after that and winning in the knock-out the losers go home - unlike in win before admitting he would stage boosts confidence and THREE weeks and 48 matches previous editions there is no need to start afresh in prepar- also leads to the development have been needed in the UAE third-place game to soften the ing for Qatar. of the players and team,” said to whittle the Asian Cup down blow of defeat. “I don’t think about the coach Hajime Moriyasu, who to the four remaining teams World Cup 2022 hosts Qa- confrontation against Qatar - is rebuilding a younger team who will contest the semi-fi- tar have been a break-out side we are dealing with the match- after the 2018 World Cup. nals on Monday and Tuesday with their fifth win, and fifth es step by step. Carlos Queiroz has con- – with both expected faces and clean sheet, lifting them 1-0 over Part of his challenge will tinually tried to paint his Iran surprise packages present. South Korea in the last eight. be holding together a squad in side underdogs even in the Record champions Japan Abdelaziz Hatim and Bas- danger of falling apart through face of overwhelming evidence face Asia’s number one side Iran sam al Rawi are suspended for injury with Mohamed Gharib against this assertion. They in Monday’s first semi in Al Ain the country’s first Asian Cup and Fares Juma in danger of did draw with Iraq in the group in a contest between two of the semi-final, though Abdelka- joining the already absent Khal- stage but otherwise has record- pre-tournament favourites. rim Hassan and Assim Madi- ifa Mubarak. At least Khamis ed 5-0, 2-0, 2-0 and 3-0 wins, A day later in Abu Dhabi, bo are back. Japan players celebrate winning the 2019 AFC Asian Cup quarter-final against Vietnam on Thursday. (EPA-EFE) Esmaeel will be back from a ban. most recently over China. the UAE meet World Cup “It’s not a miracle, I think Japan have dominated the With Iran in the midst of a 2022 hosts Qatar in a politi- it’s well deserved,” coach Felix Their journey has the add- cluding the UAE. least following a thrilling ex- tournament over the last three 43-year drought since they last cally charged encounter with Sanchez said of his side’s pro- ed twist of taking place while The UAE have struggled to tra-time win over Kyrgyzstan decades with four victories lifted the trophy by complet- both on fairytale runs. gress. “The team shows a good the country is the subject of get their support behind them and the quarter-final hum- since their maiden triumph in ing a title hat-trick in 1976, the The winners then meet in performance and all the wins a diplomatic and economic in a low-key run for the hosts bling of holders Australia. 1992 and have moved quietly coach’s approach is perhaps Friday’s final, again in the cap- were deserved.” blockade by neighbours, in- but that is set to change, not “The UAE showed a cham- into the last four. understandable. Sports Sunday, January 27, 2019 17 Djokovic and Nadal add another chapter to great rivalry

REUTERS privileged. HEAD-TO-HEAD: DJOKOVIC LEADS 27-25 Yet he crushed all doubts MELBOURNE While both players have about the state of his game added to their pile of Grand Djokovic: Age - 30; Nadal: Age - 32; with a 83-minute demolition AFTER winning one-sided Slam silverware in recent World ranking - 1; World ranking - 2; of Pouille on Friday. semi-finals that few will re- years, they have not had to face Describing 17-times Grand member in years to come, No- each other in a title match at Prize money -$125,847,879; Prize money - 103,251,975; Slam champion Nadal as his vak Djokovic and Rafa Nadal the four majors since the 2014 Career titles - 72; Career titles - 80; “greatest rival”, Djokovic has will face off in a blockbuster French Open. Grand Slam titles - 14; Grand Slam titles - 17; watched the Spaniard with in- Australian Open decider on Nadal won that meeting Australian Open best - Australian Open best - terest in Melbourne. Sunday that offers much more in four sets, nudging to a 4-3 Champion (2008, 2011, Champion (2009) “With everything he pos- than a clash of great players. lead in their Grand Slam finals sesses, all the qualities in his Both have landed in the count, but given his fitness is- 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016) game, adding to that also a final in outrageous form, with sues and unremarkable record Path to the final Path to the final lot of free points on the serve second seed Nadal conced- at recent hard-court Slams 1st rd: bt Mitchell Krueger 1st rd: bt James Duckworth makes him much tougher to ing only six games to Stefanos there was those who doubted (USA) 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 (AUS) 6-4, 6-3, 7-5 play against,” he noted. Tsitsipas before top seed Djok- the 32-year-old would get to 2nd rd: bt Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 2nd rd: bt Matthew Ebden While the 2017 Melbourne ovic gave up only four to Lucas Sunday’s decider. final between Roger Federer Pouille. The lefthander retired hurt (FRA) 6-3, 7-5, 6-4 (AUS) 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 and Nadal was seen as a throw- Having proved, once again, in the quarter-finals at last 3rd rd: bt Denis Shapovalov 3rd rd: bt Alex de Minaur back for the sentimentalists, untouchable by the younger year’s tournament and again A photo combination shows Spain’s Rafael Nadal and Serbia’s Novak (CAN x25) 6-3, 6-4, 4-6, 6-0 (AUS x27) 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 Sunday’s match may open up a generation, Serb Djokovic and at the semi-finals of the U.S. Djokovic at the Australian Open in Melbourne. (AFP) 4th rd: bt Daniil Medvedev 4th rd: bt Tomas Berdych new and thrilling phase to one Spaniard Nadal will meet for Open. (RUS x15) 6-4, 6-7 (5/7), (CZE) 6-0, 6-1, 7-6 (7/4) of tennis’s greatest rivalries. an eighth time in a Grand Slam But all that has been chances of upsetting the Serb, the limit of our tennis level. It may also reopen the final and their first at Mel- thrown aside during a scintil- who is clear favourite to claim Tomorrow (is) going to be an- 6-2, 6-3 Q-F: bt Frances Tiafoe (USA) “greatest of all time” debate. bourne Park since the record lating run at Melbourne Park a record seventh title in Mel- other episode.” Q-F: bt Kei Nishikori (JPN x8) 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 Victory for Nadal would five-hour 53 minute epic in in which he has not dropped bourne. 6-1, 4-1 retired S-F: bt Stefanos Tsitsipas make him only the third play- 2012, a match regarded as one a set. “(There) have been very ‘Greatest rival’ S-F: bt Lucas Pouille (FRA (GRE x14) 6-2, 6-4, 6-0 er to claim both Grand Slams of the greatest of all time. Older but wiser, Nadal has special moments that we share In contrast to Nadal, few x28) 6-0, 6-2, 6-2 twice after Roy Emerson and A packed crowd at Rod La- added pace to his serve, allow- together in the court, with No- would have expected anything Rod Laver, while bringing him ver Arena will see two of the ing him to be more aggressive vak, during all our careers in less than seeing Djokovic fea- within two of Swiss Federer’s modern day greats slug it out on the second shot and shorten the most important stages,” ture in Sunday’s final. Grand Slam title in 2008 as a not quite been as dominant as total of 20. in their 53rd match, with Djok- the points to preserve his body. 2009 champion Nadal, bid- It has been a tournament 20-year-old. Nadal’s, surviving a four-set A win for Djokovic would ovic leading Nadal 27-25 in the The quality of his ten- ding for a second Melbourne he has owned for much of the Now bidding for his 15th test in the last 16 against Rus- move him past Pete Sampras head-to-head tally. nis and his “happiness” in title, said on Saturday. past 11 years since beating Jo- Grand Slam title and third in sian Daniil Medvedev and later (14) to outright third on the list Well might tennis fans feel his game bodes well for his “We push each other to Wilfried Tsonga for his first succession, Djokovic’s run has complaining of back soreness. of Grand Slam title winners. Griezmann on target again as Krejcikova, Ram win mixed doubles title at Australian Open Atletico edge closer to Barca

AFP ed with a consistent run for his challenge. MADRID team, which looks timely too, The Frenchman’s shot in with Real Madrid in La Liga the 27th minute was too quick ANTOINE Griezmann struck and Juventus in the Champi- for goalkeeper David Soria, again as Atletico Madrid kept ons League both to come at the who was taken by surprise the pressure on Barcelona at start of next month. and beaten at his near post. the top of La Liga by beating in- With those games in mind, Thomas Partey did well to form Getafe 2-0 on Saturday. Diego Simeone will hope the battle through midfield and it Griezmann now has 10 thigh strain that forced his was his pass that had teed up goals in his last 11 games, his captain Diego Godin off at the Griezmann on the edge of the latest helping Atletico register interval is not serious. Atletico area. their sixth win in seven league described the substitution as a Thomas was key again to matches. The only dropped “precaution”. the second, his lofted pass out points came in a respectable Barcelona coach Ernesto wide allowing Lucas Hernan- draw away to Sevilla. Valverde had said earlier on dez to volley first-time into Saul Niguez tapped in a Saturday that he considers the six-yard box, where Nikola second before half-time at the Atletico the greatest threat to Kalinic should have finished. Wanda Metropolitano to com- their title hopes from the Span- His effort was parried out and plete an impressively smooth ish capital and it is hard to Saul slid in the rebound. victory over a Getafe side that argue given Diego Simeone’s Getafe’s frustration built had lost only once, to Barce- men are now just two points and boiled over at the end as lona, in 12 matches. behind, eight closer than Real. Djene Dakonam was shown a Renowned for their tenac- Griezmann could have second yellow card in the 88th ity, Getafe also finished with been playing for the Catalans minute for a rash challenge on nine men after Djene Dako- had his decision last summer Thomas Lemar and then Lean- Third seeds Barbora Krejcikova and Rajeev Ram defeated local favourites Astra Sharma and John-Patrick Smith 7-6(3) 6-1 to win the mixed nam and Leandro Cabrera been different but instead he dro Cabrera followed him three doubles title at the Australian Open on Saturday. After edging a tight opening set, the experienced Ram and Krejcikova broke early in the were both sent off in the final is fast-becoming the sharp- minutes later for applauding second set and held firm to clinch the contest and deny their unseeded rivals. It was the first taste of Grand Slam success formerican A minutes. est thorn in their side, driving the referee. Ram while Krejcikova, who won two women’s doubles majors with fellow Czech Katerina Siniakova last year, claimed her first mixed doubles It is no coincidence that Atletico almost single-handed- It was a feisty end to a com- Slam trophy. (AGENCIES) Griezmann’s surge has coincid- ly at times to a sustained title fortable Atletico win.

Man City continue quadruple Al Kharaitiyat stun Gharafa quest, Wolves fightback avoids shock in thrilling FA Cup AFP seconds Bernardo Silva’s to book QSL Cup final berth LONDON deflected effort gave City breathing space. TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK In the 11th minute, Al MANCHESTER City’s quest Kevin de Bruyne’s brilliant DOHA Duhail, coached by Madjid for four trophies continued free-kick then made it 3-0 and Bougherra, jumped to a 1-0 with a 5-0 thrashing of Burn- another wicked delivery from AL Kharaitiyat will take on Al lead when Paulo Edmilson ley to march into the FA Cup the Belgian forced Kevin Long Duhail in the final of the QSL found the net from close range. fifth round as League One to turn into his own net for the Cup after an epic performance Striker Yousef El Arabi Shrewsbury narrowly missed fourth before Sergio Aguero against holders Al Gharafa on made it 2-0 in the 23rd min- out on shocking Wolves in a rounded off the scoring from Saturday. ute as the Red Knights com- 2-2 draw on Saturday. the penalty spot. Kharaitiyat thumped the pletely asserting themselves City boss Pep Guardiola Wolves knocked out Pre- Cheetahs 4-1, while Al Duhail on their home soil. labelled talk of a quadruple as mier League leaders Liverpool blanked Qatar SC 4-0. The final A minute later, Edmilson “fantasy” earlier in the week, in the last round, but needed a will be held at the Al Duhail Sta- beat his marker with quick but after cruising into the late fightback from 2-0 down dium on January 31. pace, but his drive past Qatar League Cup final in midweek, to avoid the shock of the day at It was a repeat of the group- SC keeper Rajab Hamza nar- the English champions are in New Meadow. stage clash in Round 3 when Al rowly missed the target. contention for a clean sweep of Rangers loanee Greg Do- Gharafa defeated Al Kharaitiyat Just before the half-hour trophies as they challenge Liv- cherty smashed the third-tier 3-0. mark, Ahmed Abdulqader erpool in the Premier League side into the lead just two min- However, Al Kharaitiyat fooled Qatar SC keeper into and face Schalke in the last 16 utes into the second-half. had a sweet revenge this time diving to his left, but shot the of the Champions League. Luke Waterfall gave the around. They took a surprise ball past his right shoulder The defeat left Burnley to Shrews a two-goal lead 19 min- lead in the 17th minute through from inside the box for Al Du- concentrate on their bid for utes from time with a towering Romanian winger Valentin La- Al Kharaitiyat players celebrate scoring against Al Gharafa during the QSl Cup semi-final match at the Al hail’s third goal. survival in the top flight. header from a corner. zar, who converted a penalty Duhail Stadium on Saturday. In the second half of the Guardiola named a strong They needed that cushion past the outstretched hands of one-sided clash, Edmilson side with just four changes as Raul Jimenez came off the goalkeeper Qasim Burhan. The The Cheetahs drew level found the mark with a long- Qatar SC 0 Al Duhail 4 scored his second goal when from last weekend’s Premier bench to give the visitors a life- penalty was awarded after he in the 39th minute through range rebound after Abdulaziz Al Duhail eased past Qatar he hoodwinked marker Mo- League win at Huddersfield. line and Matt Doherty levelled was felled inside the box by Al Amro Seraj, who latched on to a Al Ansari’s shot bounced off Al SC 4-0 in the second semifinal hammed Salem and then Gabriel Jesus continued three minutes into stoppage Gharafa’s Mostafa Kadira. through ball before unleashing Gharafa’s Yousef Muftah. to book put themselves in an- curled in a well-taken right- his hot streak with a fine in- time to save Wolves’ blushes. Gharafa, who dominated an angular shot past goalkeeper Substitute Mohammed other final. footed drive past keeper dividual run and powerful fin- One League One side will possession in the first half Abdulkardeen. Razzaq completed the tally by Striker Ali Said al Mohan- Hamza. ish past Nick Pope to open the be in the next round after a late (63 percent), had earned a Al Kharaitiyat put up an scoring in the 84th and 89th nadi of Qatar SC broke free of Ali Said could have scored scoring with his eighth goal in Ben Whiteman penalty earned free-kick as early as the fourth improved show in the second minutes. Valentin gave the as- his marker, but his left-footed one for Qatar with only the five games. Doncaster a 2-1 win over Old- minute, but Vladimir Weiss half and were rewarded for sist for his first goal, while Mo- drive was blocked by Al Duhail Al Duhail keeper to beat, but Burnley wasted a great ham. Watford edged an all- sent it straight at Mustafa Ab- their persistent efforts in the hammed Abdulrab set him up keeper Khalifa Aboobacker in he could not finish the move chance to level when Matej Premier League tie as Andre dulkardeen. 72nd minute when Valentin for the second. just the third minute. from close range. Vydra fired wide with just Grey and Isaac Success scored Ederson to beat and within in a 2-0 win at Newcastle. Quick read Five-star Dortmund thump Hanover to go nine points clear of Bayern Munich in Bundesliga DORTMUND: Marco Reus shone thump second-from-bottom Hano- the pressure on Hanover coach but went second on goal differ- Bayer Leverkusen claimed their as Borussia Dortmund opened a ver with Reus causing havoc on Andre Breitenreiter, but his side ence with a 2-0 win at home to first win under new coach Peter nine-point lead over Bayern Mu- his return from an ankle injury. showed spirit when Marvin Baka- Augsburg. Gladbach midfielder Bosz when Germany internation- nich at the top of the Bundesliga Achraf Hakimi, on loan from Real lorz scored a late consolation Jonas Hofmann, linked with a als Kai Havertz, Kevin Volland table with a 5-1 rout of strugglers Madrid, Reus, Mario Goetze and against his former club before move to Tottenham Hotspur, had and Julian Brandt netted their Hanover on Saturday. Raphael Guerreiro scored Dort- Witsel grabbed Dortmund’s fifth a penalty saved just before the goals in a 3-0 victory at Wolfs- With defending champions Bay- mund’s goals to keep them on goal on 90 minutes. break before Oscar Wendt and burg. Hoffenheim moved up ern hosting Stuttgart on Sunday, course for their first Bundesliga Borussia Moenchengladbach Patrick Herrmann scored second- into the top six with a 4-2 win at Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero celebrates scoring their fifth goal Dortmund grabbed the chance to title since 2012. The defeat piles joined Bayern on 39 points, half goals. Freiburg. (AFP) against Burnley in the FA Cup Fourth Round in Manchester on Satur- day. (REUTERS) 18 Sunday, January 27, 2019 Sports

HE Sheikh Joaan reviews 2019 World Athletics Championships preparations at Khalifa Stadium

Qatar Olympic Committee President and Organising Committee Chairman His Excellency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al Thani visited the Khalifa International Stadium to gauge the 2019 IAAF World Athletics Championships preparations. He was accompanied by IAAF Vice-President Dahlan al Hamad, who is also the Vice-Chairman of the local organising body, and QOC Secretary-General Jassim al Buenain. He inspected the facilities of the stadium, which will use the cooling technology during the championships to maintain the temperature between 24 and 26 degrees celsius. It is the first time that the world championships, scheduled from September 27 to October 6, will be held in the Middle East. The organising committee will also stage the Asian Athletics Championships in April in Doha to test the venue. Grand QSTK double Yadav bamboozles by young Qubaisi New Zealand again India 2-0 up after Sheikh Jassim al Thani clinches both races in QSTK Trophy Sharma, Dhawan TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK lay foundation DOHA for India’s huge QATAR’S young rider Abdulla al Qubaisi recorded his first- 324 for four ever double in the Qatar Su- perstock 600 Championship at the Losail International Cir- REUTERS cuit with thrilling battle with MOUNT MAUNGANUI defending champion Saeed al Sulaiti in both races on Satur- WRIST-SPINNER Kuldeep day. Yadav tormented New Zealand New Zealand’s Colin de Grandhomme (left) walks from the field after In the first race, Qubaisi again as India coasted to a 90- being caught off India’s Kuldeep Yadav during the second one-day grabbed his first victory of run victory in the second one- international (ODI) cricket match in Tauranga on Saturday. (AFP) the season with a total time of day international at Bay Oval 27:30.373, crossing the finish here on Saturday to take a 2-0 line 0.836 of a second ahead lead in the five-match series. SCOREBOARD of Sulaiti. The left-arm spinner, who INDIA: K. Williamson b Shami ...... 20 Although Sulaiti, who had four victims in the eight- R. Sharma c de Grandhomme b Ferguson ...... 87 R. Taylor std Dhoni b Jadhav ...... 22 clinched his third Superpole of wicket victory in the first match S. Dhawan c Latham b Boult ...... 66 T. Latham lbw Yadav ...... 34 V. Kohli c Sodhi b Boult ...... 43 H. Nicholls c Shami b Yadav ...... 28 the season, stayed in the front in Napier, claimed 4-45 as New A. Rayudu c&b Ferguson ...... 47 C. de Grandhomme c Rayudu b Yadav ...... 3 of almost entire race, he made Zealand were dismissed for M. Dhoni not out ...... 48 D. Bracewell c Dhawan b Kumar ...... 57 a mistake in the last lap that 234 in 40.2 overs in reply to K. Jadhav not out ...... 22 I. Sodhi b Yadav ...... 0 allowed Qubaisi to overtake India’s massive 324 for 4. Extras: (lb 1, wd 10) ...... 11 L. Ferguson c Shankar b Chahal ...... 12 Total: (for 4 wickets; 50 overs) ...... 324 T. Boult not out ...... 10 him and win the race. Mashel All of the top-six New Zea- Fall of wickets: 1-154 (Dhawan), 2-172 (Sharma), Extras: (wd 2) ...... 2 al Naimi ended in third place. land batsmen got starts in pur- 3-236 (Kohli), 4-271 (Rayudu) Total: (for 10 wickets; 40.2 overs) ...... 234 The second race saw even suit of a target of 325 that was Bowling: Boult 10-1-61-2 (4w), Bracewell 10-0-59-0 Fall of wickets: 1-23 (Guptill), 2-51 (Williamson), 3-84 a closer duel between Qubaisi achievable on a good pitch that (1w), Ferguson 10-0-81-2 (1w), Sodhi 10-0-43-0 (1w), (Munro), 4-100 (Taylor), 5-136 (Latham), 6-146 (de de Grandhomme 8-0-62-0 (2w), Munro 2-0-17-0 (1w). Grandhomme), 7-166 (Nicholls), 8-166 (Sodhi), 9-224 and Sulaiti. The former man- offered true bounce and pace. (Bracewell), 10-234 (Ferguson) aged to hang on to his charge Abdulla al Qubaisi celebrates his double victory at the third round of the Qatar Superstock 600 at the The hosts, however, were NEW ZEALAND: Bowling: Kumar 7-1-42-2 (1w), Shami 6-0-43-1, and completed his superb dou- Losail International Circuit on Saturday. unable to really build any M. Guptill c Chahal b Kumar ...... 15 Shankar 2-0-17-0 (1w), Chahal 9.2-0-52-2, Jadhav ble with a gap of only 0.080. fruitful partnerships as In- C. Munro lbw Chahal ...... 31 6-0-35-1, Yadav 10-0-45-4. “I’m very happy for my track which allowed Abdulla to clinched again another dou- gears and couldn’t get on the dia took wickets at times just first double win in this cham- pass me. Honestly, I’m really ble with Mohamad al Zaidan podium again. Hopefully I’ll when New Zealand appeared pionship. At the beginning, I happy for him and he deserved behind him in both the races. be better in the next round,” to be getting a slight edge in ly improved his batting with a have really set a target in ex- tried to stay behind Saeed to to win as he has been working For first time in this season, Eidi said. their pursuit. counter-attacking 57, his first cess of 350. save the tyres and the energy. very hard.” Kuwaiti rider Mohammad al Sheikh Thani tops the Yadav destroyed New ODI half century. While the opening pair In both races, I managed to “In the last two laps of the Eidi finished in the podium in QSTK Trophy championship Zealand’s middle order as he were both dismissed by the pass Saeed in the last lap (turn second race, Abdullah was third place. Nawaf al Shuaibi with 150 points and Zaidan dismissed Tom Latham (34), Inconsistent batting end of the 30th over, India 4 in race 1 and turn 16 in race a bit aggressive and I didn’t got the third place in the sec- is second after collecting 120 Colin de Grandhomme (three) That New Zealand were were still 173-2 and looking 2) and took the victories. I want to take the risk and lose ond race in this category. points. In the third place is and Henry Nicholls (28) in unable to last their full comple- ominous only for New Zea- have been working very hard the championship points, so “The first race was very Hassan al Mansoori with 75 quick succession to end any ment of overs for the second land’s bowlers to change their and looking forward the next I decided to finish second, competitive. So for me to points. hopes of them leading a rear- successive match was not the line and length and mix up round to see if I can continue maintaining the champion- achieve the third place is Trophies were presented guard recovery. only concern for coach Gary their deliveries to slow the to build on these great re- ship lead,” Sulaiti added. amazing. The Kuwaiti rid- by QMMF Board Members The 24-year-old had the Stead as India’s batsmen also scoring rate. sults,” Qubaisi commented. Sulaiti is leading the cham- ers are competing fiercely. Of Salem al Mohannadi, Mo- opportunity of taking his sec- highlighted the lack of penetra- The visitors, however, For Al Sulaiti, overall it was pionship with 140 points but course the Qatari riders are at hamad al Kubaisi, QMMF ond one-day international tion of their bowling attack. were still able to steadily build a good weekend. “In the first Qubaisi has moved to the sec- higher level. It is really nice to General Secretary Abdulrazak hat-trick when he dismissed None of the Indian bats- their innings and surpassed race, I tried to maintain the ond place, accumulating 119 be on the podium with them. al Kuwari and LCSC General Nicholls and Ish Sodhi on suc- men looked like they were in 300 when former captain Ma- tyers but the guys were very points. Naimi is third with 104 In the second race, although Manager and Vice-President cessive balls only for Lockie trouble and with openers Shi- hendra Singh Dhoni (48 not competitive. Unfortunately, in points. I was leading in some laps Khalid al Remaihi. The fourth Ferguson to deny him. khar Dhawan (66) and Rohit out) and Kedar Jadhav (22 the last lap of first race, I made In the QSTK Trophy, of my category, I went out in round is scheduled on Febru- Recalled all-rounder Doug Sharma (87) scoring at almost from 10 balls) closed with 35 a mistake and went off the Sheikh Jassim al Thani a couple of corners, missed ary 8 and 9. Bracewell showed he had vast- a run a ball, the visitors should runs in the final two overs.

Whatley, Sundstedt champs in Open class NEWS IN BRIEF

kinds of competition. Australia crush Lanka inside three days 140 cyclists The Velostar’s British rider Whatley put up a strong display BRISBANE: Pat Cummins took a career-best 6-23 to help compete in Al in the 11-lap race and clocked Australia crush Sri Lanka by an innings and 40 runs inside Kheesa XC Mini 2:43:03 to grab the Men’s Open three days in the series opening day-night Test in Brisbane on title. Argentine Andres Pablo Saturday. Endurance Race Bustos del Valle of Los Gauchos The paceman completed his maiden 10-wicket match haul was second with a lap behind. as Australia bundled out Sri Lanka for 139, five fewer than the TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK The third spot was taken by tourists had managed in their first innings, to register only their DOHA Lebanese Marc Mourad of Ra- second test win of the summer at the Gabba. sen Adventure Shop. Brief scores: Australia 323 all out (Head 84, Labuschagne TOM Whatley and Pia Sundst- Smcc APO Lakay’s Clark 81, Lakmal 5-75) beat Sri Lanka 144 and 139 all out (Thiri- edt emerged the champions in Arvin Andrada was fourth, manne 32, Cummins 6-23) by an innings and 40 runs the Open class at the Al Khee- ahead of Qatar National Team’s sa XC Mini Endurance Race, Khaleel al Rahman. the fourth round of the Qatar Rasen Adventure Shop’s Mountain Bike League. cyclists dominated the Wom- Amir recalled for South Africa Twenty20 Races, which attracted en’s Open class. Led by Sund- about 140 participants, were stedt, they clean-swept all the KARACHI: Pakistan recalled fast bowler Mohammad Amir in the conducted in various categories Pia Sundstedt (centre) and her Rasen Adventure Shop teammate Julie Melville compete during the Al top three spots. Sundstedt was 15-man squad for next month’s three-match Twenty20 series at the 5-km track located in Al Kheesa XC Mini Endurance Race in Al Kheesa on Friday. the first to complete 10 laps in against South Africa, while recent top performers missed out Kheesa Area with the course 2:33:30, while Julie Melville on selection. being an off-road terrain mix and Sophie Clarke were second The 26-year-old left-armer was left out of the limited-over of flats, sand pits, natural and RESULTS and third. and Test squads after a poor showing in last year’s Asia Cup, artificial obstacles, inclines, and Men Open: 1.Mudar AL. KHATIB (SYR) Qatar National Team 2:44:26 Qatar’s Marwan al Jalham but was brought back into both for the ongoing tour of South 1 Tom WHATELEY (GBR) Velostar 2:43:03 - 11 laps - 10 laps Age Group 50 & above: Africa. descents. 2.Andres Pablo BUSTOS DEL VALLE (ARG) Los Gauchos 2.Mohammed ABOUGABARAH (PLE) Qatar National 1.Neil MELVILLE (GBR) Velostar 2:30:55 - 9 laps topped the 23 to 39 years age The Al Kheesa race was or- 2:32:44 + 1 lap Team + 1 lap 2.Ronnie SACLIN (PHI) Smcc APO Lakay + 1 lap group. The Rasen Adventure ganised by Qatar Cycling and 3.Marc MOURAD (LIB) Rasen Adventure Shop + 1 lap 3.Johndale Ronnie GALANG (PHI) BPMQ + 3 laps 3.Joel John MARMOLEJO (PHI) El Padyakero + 1 lap Shop rider was timed home in Triathlon Federation (QCTF) 4.Clark Arvin ANDRADA (PHI) Smcc APO Lakay + 1 lap 2:41:31, more than three min- 5.Khaleel AL RAHMAN (QAT) Qatar National Team + 1 lap Age Group 23 to 39: Beginner Women: Windies inch closer to victory and United Filipino Mountain 1.Marwan ALJALHAM (QAT) Rasen Adventure Shop 1.Mary Grace Joy ASIDERA El Padyakero 26:56 – 1 lap utes before second-placed Jam- Bikers Qatar (UFMBQ), in part- Women Open: 2:41:31 - 10 laps 2.Sheryl CACAPIT El Padyakero + 0:14 ison Carino (Bike to work). BP- BARBADOS: England opener Rory Burns was bowled for 84 by nership with Rayyan Water and 1.Pia SUNDSTEDT (FIN) Rasen Adventure Shop 2:33:30 2.Jamison CARINO (PHI) Bike to work + 3:25 3.Isabel PUNSALANG Doha ChiQlistas +11:07 MQ’s pair of Jumel Justo and spinner Roston Chase just before lunch on day four as West Qatar Chain Reaction. - 10 laps 3.Jumel JUSTO (PHI) BPMQ + 1 lap Ramil Reyes finished third and Indies inched closer to victory in the first Test in Barbados on 2.Julie MELVILLE (AUS) Rasen Adventure Shop + 1 lap 4.Ramil REYES (PHI) BPMQ + 1 lap Beginner Men (BM): Saturday. The Qatar Mountain Bike 3.Sophie CLARKE (GBR) Rasen Adventure Shop + 2 laps 5.Johnrie ALCERO (PHI) Team Industrial + 1 lap 1.Robert CERVANTES BPMQ 17:15 – 1 lap fourth, while Johnrie Alcero League is a series of five Moun- 2.Julius CASILI Bike to work + 0:27 (Team Industrial) completed The dismissal left England, chasing a record 628 for vic- tain Bike Races showcasing the Women Weekend Warrior: Age Group 40 to 49: 3.Leo SALVA Tropang Hamog Gear United + 0:30 the top five. tory, on 134 for two. The home side have five sessions remain- local off-road cycling tracks of 1.Katrina AGCAOILI (PHI) El Padyakero 2:26:00 - 6 laps 1.Jean Andre PESURNAY (INA) 2:48:08 - 10 laps Jamal al Kuwari, QCTF ing to wrap up the match at the Kensington Oval in Barbados. 2.Alessandra AGCAOILI (PHI) El Padyakero + 1:40 2.Eleazar JUTA (PHI) Team Industrial + 1 lap Age Group 15 & Under Al Kheesa, Lusail , Al Khor and 3.Charlotte WOHLWEND (SUI) + 11:30 3.Renante SIATAN (PHI) El Padyakero + 1 lap 1.Aditya PRASETYO IFME 16:18 – 1 lap General Secretary, awarded the Brief scores - Day 4: Al Kheesa. The QCTF aims to 4. Frederick HIDALGO (PHI) Team Industrial + 1 lap 2.Ameer IHSAN Team Harding + 1:51 winners. The next leg - Rasen 24 West Indies 289 & 415/6 decl. England 77 and 132 for 2 develop the sport of mountain Under-23 (Age Group 16 to 22): 5.Jorge ALONSO (ESP) 2:45:22 9 + 1 lap 16.33 3.Sohaib AL AMOUDI + 5:42 Hour of the series - will be held (lunch) biking and local talents for these on February 15 in Al Zubarah.