Serena Williams crashes out of tune-up meet in New York page 14

THURSday, AUGUST 27, 2020

Sheikh Hamad is the new Qatar Sports Club president Top European clubs Tribune News Network Doha

HE Sheikh Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani has become the new president of the Qatar Sports circle as Messi calls Club after his opposing can- didates HE Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad bin Nasser Al Thani and Ali Al Mannai withdrew from the elections before the General Assembly meeting time at Barcelona that was held on Monday. The outgoing president HE Sheikh Hamad bin Suhaim AFP Sheikh Jassim announced Al Thani. Barcelona during the General Assembly meeting his official withdrawal were also discussed, and the Lionel Messi’s bombshell in support of Sheikh Hamad. election and membership af- request to leave Barcelona is The meeting, which was fairs committee was formed expected to spark a legal bat- attended by a number of mem- for the next session, consist- tle over a multi-million-dollar bers of the General Assembly, ing of five persons, headed by buy-out clause but also raises discussed many items on the Ahmed Mohammed Al Ku- the question of which club agenda, including the financial wari, and the membership of could afford him in the heat of report, during which Sheikh Mohamed Rabia Al Kuwari, the coronavirus pandemic. said that the club’s financial Mohamed Hamid Al Midfa, Messi’s priority has always position was good and there Mohamed Ali Al Kubaisi and been to be part of a “winning were no cases filed against the Talal Ali Al Mawlawi. The list project” at , and club in the Federation Inter- of alternate members included newly-appointed sporting nationale de Football Associa- Fahad Abdullah Al Maliki, director Ramon Planes on tion (FIFA). Khalifa bin Abdulaziz and Wednesday hailed the Argen- The members’ proposals Khaled Abdullah. tinian a “winner” the Catalan club was working hard to keep. As it stands, Messi is Barca’s record scorer and has been part of a team that has amassed four Champions League titles, 10 titles and six Copa del Rey trophies. The 33-year-old’s latest season, however, was not only devoid of trophies (for the first time since 2008), it was also defined by chaos and ended in humiliation with a 8-2 Cham- pions League quarter-final defeat by eventual champions Bayern Munich. Messi, a six-time Ballon The covers of newspapers inform on Argentinian forward Lionel Messi’s d’Or winner, has not asked for wish to leave FC Barcelona, in Barcelona, on Wednesday. (AFP) a transfer to put his feet up for the final years of his career. This Guardiola, sporting director tor Planes, named in place of was “not an argument between of which his release clause is a considered move aimed at Txiki Begiristain and chief Eric Abidal a day after Quique Messi and Barca – neither de- amounts to 700 million euros Ambassador of Qatar to Malaysia His Excellency Fahd bin Mohammed bolstering his successes, and in executive Ferran Soriano, all Setien was sacked as manager serves it”. ($828 million).” Kafood hands over Qatar Football Association’s bid file to Secretary- one competition in particular. have connections with Barce- following the Bayern defeat, “We are working to make Messi joined Barcelona’s General of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) at the Asian foot- lona they are keen to respect. said on Wednesday that Messi’s Barca a winner. There is no youth academy at the age of 13 ball governing body’s headquarters in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday. Champions League For PSG, whose frustra- want-away demand was “a very division within the club over and made his debut in 2004 as obsession tion in Europe has been com- important story”. Leo. Anyone who knows foot- a 17-year-old, before going on to The Champions League has parable to City’s, even if they “But our idea at the club ball wants him to stay here to score a club-record 634 goals. AFC receives become his obsession, which broke new ground by reach- is still to build a new winning win again. He’s a winner.” According to Spanish me- puts all of Europe’s super- ing last weekend’s final, Messi cycle around the best player in dia, Messi met with new man- clubs in contention and elimi- would also represent a seismic the world. We are not contem- Drastic changes ager Ronald Koeman last week Qatar’s Asian Cup nates the less intensive, or addition to the Qatari project. plating any kind of departure Barcelona are understood to and told the Dutchman he cur- more romantic, options, at A Neymar-Messi-Kylian because what we want is for believe Messi’s release clause rently saw himself “more out least for now. Mbappe front three would not Messi to stay.” expired in June, and that he than in” at the club. 2027 bid file With a reported weekly be a difficult sell. Planes added: “You have remains under contract until Koeman has vowed to salary of nearly one million Staying at Barcelona re- to have enormous respect the end of the 2021 season. “fightto put Barca back on Tribune News Network mitted their expressions of euros, those able both to af- mains a possibility, however, for what Messi is and for his “In principle, this clause top” and said at his unveiling KUALA LUMPUR interest by the June 30, 2020 ford Messi, and convince him, particularly if under-pressure history. I think the future is expired on June 10, but the he was hopeful Messi would deadline. may only be Paris Saint-Ger- president Josep Maria Bar- positive. I am an optimist. unusual nature of this season remain at the club for several His Excellency Fahd bin Mo- The AFC Executive Com- main and Manchester City, tomeu decides to resign. But We need experienced players, disrupted by the coronavirus more years. hammed Kafood, Ambassa- mittee had earlier agreed to with Inter Milan a third, more despite calls from fans and ri- like Leo Messi... We are put- opened the way for Messi to The Lisbon loss to Bayern, dor of Qatar to Malaysia, on provide future hosts for the distant option. val candidates, there is no sug- ting every effort into ensuring ask to be released from his Barca’s heaviest in Europe, Wednesday delivered Qatar AFC Asian Cup, beginning City would appear favour- gestion yet that Bartomeu is that the relationship between contract now,” wrote Marca exposed an ageing team that Football Association’s bid file to with the 2027 edition, with ites but the club have always considering his position. Barca and Messi will continue. newspaper. Messi repeatedly had said was host the 2027 AFC Asian Cup. more preparation time ahead trodden carefully around the We are working internally to “It’s the first step towards simply not good enough as his Secretary-General of the of the event as part of the prospect of Messi. Their sport- ‘New winning cycle’ convince Leo.” opening negotiations over relations with the club hierar- Asian Football Confederation AFC’s continued commitment ing staff, including coach Pep Bartomeu’s new sporting direc- Planes stressed that there his departure, on the basis chy grew increasingly strained. (AFC) welcomed the Qatar towards strengthening its ambassador at the football competitions. headquarters of the Asian The last edition of the AFC football body in Kuala Lumpur Asian Cup in the UAE sig- to officially submit the neces- nalled a major shift for football Goals, records, trophies: Glittering Lionel Messi career sary bidding documentation. in Asia after the tournament Qatar, the reigning cham- broke all digital media en- AFP cluded Javier Mascherano and An- goals in a season and scoring 73 pions of the AFC Asian Cup gagement and TV viewership Barcelona gel di Maria, later described it as his in all competitions, breaking Gerd after clinching their maiden records, following the widely most cherished title. But Barcelona Muller’s European record of 67. crown in the United Arab acclaimed decision to expand Lionel Messi was the teenage may never have allowed him to play Among the highlights, Messi be- Emirates in 2019, are aiming Asia’s flagship competition prodigy who blossomed into Barce- if not for the intervention of newly came the first player to plunder five to be the first Asian country to from 16 to 24 national teams. lona’s record scorer and is still oper- appointed coach , goals in one Champions League game, stage the Continent’s premier China PR, who were con- ating at the highest level at 33. who won Olympic gold with Spain in the 7-1 hammering of Bayer Lev- national team competition for firmed as hosts for the up- After announcing he wants to in 1992. erkusen. However, the season ended the third time having hosted coming AFC Asian Cup 2023 leave the Catalan club, AFP Sport The Olympic title remain’s Mes- badly for Barca as the title-holders lost previously in 1988 and 2011. at the AFC Extraordinary examines the career highlights of si’s biggest achievement with Ar- in the Champions League semi-finals Four other AFC Member Congress in Paris, France in one of football’s all-time greats. gentina, despite being their all-time to Chelsea, and were beaten to the La Associations have also indi- June 2019, will be looking to top-scorer with 70 goals. Liga title by Real Madrid. cated their intentions to host build upon the legacy of the Barca academy Asia’s crown jewel including last edition in the UAE and Messi, from Rosario in Argentina, Ballon d’Or Goals, goals, goals the All India Football Federa- setting the benchmark for was a diminutive 13-year-old and Messi eclipsed Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi was just 24 when he broke tion, Football Federation Is- the 2027 edition. suffering from growth hormone de- then newly arrived at Real Madrid, Cesar Rodriguez’s 57-year-old club lamic Republic of Iran, Saudi The host nation for the ficiency when he joined the acade- to be named the world’s best foot- record of 232 goals, smashing a hat- Arabian Football Federation 19th edition of the AFC my at Barcelona, who agreed to pay baller by a record margin in 2009. trick past Granada in March 2012. and Uzbekistan Football As- Asian Cup will be announced for his $1,000-a-month treatment. It capped a brilliant campaign He has gone on to amass 634 for sociation – all of whom sub- in 2021. Despite severe homesickness where he inspired Barcelona to the his club, including a record 444 in at the outset, Messi rose through Champions League trophy, scoring La Liga, and an unsurpassed 36 hat- the ranks and made his first-team nine goals and sealing the 2-0 fi- tricks in the Spanish top flight. debut aged 17 in 2004, becoming nal victory over Manchester United Quick read Barcelona’s youngest goal-scorer with Barca’s second goal. 700-up Fans to be allowed at stadium for Ooredoo Cup later that season. Guardiola’s Barcelona also won Another milestone fell when Messi the Copa del Rey and La Liga, claim- scored his 700th goal for club and The Qatar Stars League has decided to allow fans at the stadiums Olympic gold ing the first treble in Spanish histo- country – a cheeky Panenka penalty for 2019-20 season’s remaining Ooredoo Cup matches as per the Messi helped Argentina to their sec- ry. Messi picked up his sixth Ballon – in a 2-2 draw with Atletico Madrid precautionary measures followed previously to ensure the safety and In this file photo taken on September 23, 2019 Best ond straight men’s football gold at d’Or, another record, last December. in June. However, highlights have security of everyone. The Ooredoo Cup semi-finals will be played at FIFA Men’s Player of 2019, Argentina and Barcelona the 2008 Beijing Olympics, winning been in short supply this season for the Al Sadd Stadium on Saturday, August 29. They are: Al Rayyan vs forward Lionel Messi poses with his wife Antonella all six of their games and conceding Muller time Messi and Barcelona, who finished Al Arabi at 4pm, and Al Ahli vs Al Sadd at 7pm. Tickets are up for sale Roccuzzo Messi and their children at the end of The just two goals. Messi enjoyed a sensational 2011- without a trophy for the first time only on the official website (tickets.qsl.qa). See also page 15  Best FIFA Football Awards ceremony in Milan. (AFP) Messi, playing in a team that in- 12, setting a La Liga record of 50 since 2007. 14 Thursday, August 27, 2020 Sports Nishikori withdraws Sakkari shocks flustered from US Open despite Serena, Djokovic in QF negative test AFP is ranked 55th in the world, AFP New York made the Serb work for the vic- New York tory as he survived five match An out-of-gas Serena Wil- points in the ninth game of the Japan’s Kei Nishikori with- liams crashed out of the West- second set. drew from the US Open on ern & Southern Open on Tues- Djokovic advances to the Wednesday and announced he day, losing in three sets to 13th quarters where he will play has tested negative for Covid-19 seeded Maria Sakkari 5-7, 7-6 German Jan-Lennard Struff, after two positive tests forced (7/5), 6-1 in New York. who defeated seventh seed Da- him out of a tuneup event. The 23-time Grand Slam vid Goffin 6-4, 3-6, 6-4. Nishikori, 30, was the winner finished with a whim- Djokovic had pulled out of 2014 US Open runner-up and per at the end of the two-hour, doubles on Sunday with pain the firstA sian man in a Grand 17-minute match as Sakkari in his neck, but did not appear Slam singles finals. His two clinched the victory with to be bothered by the injury other best Slam showings, a backhand down the line against Sandgren. semi-final runs in 2016 and that a dejected Williams just “The neck is doing well,” 2018, also came on the Flush- watched without making an he said. ing Meadows hardcourts. effort to move. Also on the men’s side, “I am happy to announce At other points in the hard-serving Canadian Milos that I tested negative for Covid,” match, Williams flung her Raonic routed Brit Andy Mur- Nishikori said in a social media racket into the spectator-less ray 6-2, 6-2 and third seeded posting. “I will slowly pick up stands and rebuked the chair Daniil Medvedev, of Russia, my practice schedule tomorrow. umpire for slapping her with a swept past Aljaz Bedene 6-3, “Having said that, I (to- time violation. 6-3. gether with my team) have de- Sakkari, of Greece, ad- In other women’s action, cided to skip the US Open this vances to the quarter-finals of fourth seeded Naomi Osaka year. After such a long break I the no-spectator event where rolled over Dayana Yastrem- feel that returning in a best of 5 she will face Johanna Konta ska in straight sets 6-3, 6-1 to long-match setting is not smart who cruised past Vera Zvon- advance. until I am fully ready to do so. areva in straight sets 6-4, 6-2. Osaka, who is the only top “It’s disappointing as I love The joint WTA and ATP 10 player left in the women’s the US Open and have great tournament was moved from draw, clinched the victory memories.” Cincinnati to New York where Serena Williams returns a shot to Maria Sakkari of Greece during the Western & Southern Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis when Yastremska was called Nishikori, ranked 31, be- the same quarantine bubble Center in New York City on Tuesday. (Getty Images/AFP) for a foot fault while serving comes the latest high-profile will house the US Open start- on match point. departure from the tournament, ing on August 31. “It is hard to play the way Williams, who has lost her warn me. I’m done.” finals of the hardcourt tourna- Japan’s Osaka blasted set to begin Monday in a specta- It was the second straight I have been playing and stay cool at events in New York be- The ball people usually get ment. eight aces, won 83 percent tor-less quarantine bubble at the two-hour-plus match for Wil- positive,” Williams said. “To fore, also admonished chair the towels for the players but Djokovic breezed through of her first serve points and US National Tennis Center. liams who at 38 was trying to play nine hours in a week is umpire, Aurelie Tourte of not in the COVID-19 bubble. the final game by winning four broke Yastremska’s serve four become the oldest winner of too much. I don’t usually play France, during a changeover On the men’s side, world straight points, closing it out times. the event. She still holds the like that. It is all new for me.” for calling a time violation for No. 1 Novak Djokovic won his with a cross-court forehand Osaka moves to the quar- record, having won this event Williams made seven dou- slow play. 20th straight match of 2020 winner to take it in 88 minutes ter-finals where she will face in 2015 at age 33. ble faults and won just 66 per- “I am walking all the way with a hard-fought 6-2, 6-4 on Tuesday. Anett Kontaveit, who defeated Brighton vs Williams survived a scare cent of her first serve points to get my towels... I mean, I victory over Tennys Sandgren. “All in all it was a great Marie Bouzkova 6-3, 6-3. Chelsea among in her opening match, pre- against Sakkari. am getting my own towels. Djokovic, who captured performance,” said Djokovic. Yastremska, who at 20 was vailing in a two hour, 48-min- After losing the second set That’s not fair,” said Williams. the Australian Open in Febru- “I felt better and played better the youngest player left in the test events for ute marathon over qualifier in a tiebreaker she tossed her “You didn’t give me a ary, needed six match points than last night. I am going in a field, made six double faults Arantxa Rus. It was her long- racket over her shoulder into warning. I am actually a re- to tough out the straight sets great direction.” and won just 38 percent of her return of fans est match since 2012. the empty stands behind her. ally fast player. Next time you victory and reach the quarter- American Sandgren, who second serves. AFP London

A Brighton v Chelsea friendly and Women’s Super League Bayern Munich in spat with China fixture are among a list of sporting events that will wel- come a limited number of fans over band endorsement fans, the British government announced on Wednesday. AFP have 110 million supporters The Department for Digi- Shanghai in China, came out fighting tal, Culture, Media and Sport in an open letter published (DCMS) confirmed a series of Bayern Munich are em- on Weibo. new events in England at which broiled in a row with their Chi- “We really appreciate the spectators would be admitted nese fans just days after their fans’ support and understand- on a socially distanced basis fol- Champions League triumph, ing but it’s a pity that on the lowing the ban on mass gather- accusing supporters of “hurl- eve of this historical moment ings introduced in March due ing abuse” over a public-rela- of the Champions League fi- to the coronavirus outbreak. tions campaign gone wrong. nal some people made some The events, which cover foot- In the build-up to Sunday’s unpleasant comments on ball, rugby union, horse racing, final against Paris Saint-Ger- Bayern’s Chinese social media cricket, basketball and speed- Barcelona’s Argentinian star Lionel Messi. main, some supporters were page,” the statement said. way, will take place this month riled by the German club’s “We came to China to and in September. endeavours to be endorsed have closer communication A men’s pre-season friend- ‘Dear Lionel’: Australian by a Chinese boy band called with Bayern fans and fan ly at Brighton on Saturday “Teens in Times”. clubs. However, distorting and a Women’s Super League team tries to entice The club was accused of A file photo of 2015 shows Bayern Munich supporters cheering during facts and hurling abuse at the match between West Ham and showing desperation over a the team’s football training session in Shanghai. (AFP) club’s official platform should Arsenal on September 12 are Messi Down Under series of leaked online mes- not happen among Bayern’s among the pilot events. sages that sought to make European and domestic titles “Have you ever seriously big family.” Brighton confirmed that AFP contact with the band to earn this season. evaluated the risks and conse- Bayern’s response served they were making 2,500 tick- Sydney Adelaide United Director its backing. But some fans felt Bay- quences of cooperation (with only to fuel the anger of some ets available for Chelsea’s visit. European football teams ern’s social-media effort was the boy band)?” one fan wrote Chinese supporters. The English Premiership Footballing minnows Ad- Ian Smith cited his aggressively court China’s demeaning to genuine old- on Weibo. “You have the cheek to rugby fixture between Harle- elaide United issued a long- state’s “brilliant” schools growing middle class, and school supporters, and they “I am writing a letter blame the fans?” said one typi- quins and Bath at the Twick- shot bid to entice superstar and tourist attractions as Bayern’s profile in the world’s made their feelings known on of complaint to Bayern’s cal reply on Weibo that was enham Stoop on September Lionel Messi to join its ranks reasons the Argentine most populous country should the Twitter-like Weibo, where headquarters.” liked 900 times. 5 has been selected, as have on Wednesday, touting the have been given a boost by Bayern have 4.2 million fol- Bayern, who have an of- “And you blame the fans race meetings at Doncaster, remote South Australian city should head Down Under. beating PSG 1-0 for a treble of lowers. fice in Shanghai and say they for ‘not being grateful’?” Warwick and Newmarket. as a coronavirus safehaven for playing and raising his family. winner shocked the football Writing a “Dear Lionel” let- world by informing Barcelona ter after news Messi wanted to Tuesday that he wanted to quit his long association with leave the team where he has Clippers’ George overcomes struggles, Nuggets stay alive Barcelona, Adelaide United played his entire professional Director Ian Smith cited his career, was the record scorer AFP with their playoff run. without star forward Kristaps state’s “brilliant” schools and and won four Champions Los Angeles “The bubble got the best of Porzingis. tourist attractions as reasons League titles. me. I was in a dark place,” said Also, Jamal Murray scored the Argentine should head The move is is expected to Paul George says his strug- George, who spoke with a team 42 points and Nikola Jokic had Down Under. spark a legal battle over a buy- gles are over as he scored a therapist before game five. “I 31 as the Denver Nuggets avoid- He also noted South Aus- out clause worth hundreds of team-high 35 points on Tues- wasn’t here, I checked out. ed elimination with a 117-107 tralia’s success in containing millions of dollars. day to lead the Los Angeles “I was just in a bad place. I victory over the Utah Jazz in the coronavirus pandemic Smith admitted Adelaide Clippers to a dominating 154- found my way. I am back and I game five of their playoff series. which is still ravaging much of United, which finished in sev- 111 playoff victory over the Dal- look forward to the rest of this Denver looked tired in game Europe, saying the state would enth place in Australia’s 11- las Mavericks. run. A shout out to people that three, but they bounced back be “safe for your young family”. team A League during a coro- George rebounded from stood behind me and were in nicely in games four and five “While Paris Saint-Ger- navirus-hit season, would not three sub-par performances to my corner.” and now trail three games to main, Manchester United be able to pay Messi the kind combine offensively with Kawhi George said he is now using two in the best-of-seven West- and others may be chasing of massive salary he is used to. Leonard and give the Clippers a mental tricks to raise his level ern Conference series. your signature, wouldn’t you “We cannot offer you 3-2 series lead. of play. “It was hard to get into Canada’s Murray scored 33 really like to go somewhere much in the form of financial George opened up after playoff mode with no intensity, of his points in the second half, different?” wrote Smith in compensation,” Smith said, the game about his struggles no fans, and no atmosphere,” Paul George of the LA Clippers drives against the Dallas Mavericks taking over the game with four the letter posted on the club’s explaining that the pandemic with coping inside the NBA’s he said. “We created the energy. during the first quarter in Game Three of the Western Conference First minutes to go and the score Facebook page. had badly damaged his team’s quarantine bubble in Orlando, I came in with the attitude that Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. even at 101-101. “Indeed, we will find you a finances. Florida where the players have this is Staples arena and the (Getty Images/AFP) Results from NBA first-round house in the suburb of Magill “But, hey, let’s not let that to adhere to strict health and place is packed. I had to create playoff games on Tuesday in – It’s just a free-kick away get in the way of something safety measures and no specta- my own energy.” points and Montrezl Har- points after scoring 43 and nail- Orlando, Florida (all series best- from Penfolds’ award-win- that promises to be very spe- tors are allowed into the arena. The Clippers shot a spectac- rell added 19 points and 11 ing the game winner in over- of-seven): Western Conference: ning Magill Estate restaurant, cial; once you are here, you George says after being in ular 63.1 percent from the floor rebounds off the bench for time in game four. Denver 117 Utah 107 (Utah where you will have a regular will be so happy and money a “dark place” he has finally and 62.9 percent (22-of-35) Los Angeles. Tim Hardaway scored 19 leads series 3-2); Los Angeles table at your disposal,” he said. will seem merely incidental,” got rid of the demons and is from beyond the arc. Mavericks top scorer Luka points and Trey Burke had 15 Clippers 154 Dallas 111; (Los The six-time Ballon d’Or he said. ready to help the Clippers Leonard finished with 32 Doncic finished with just 22 for the Mavericks, who were Angeles leads series 3-2). Sports Thursday, August 27, 2020 15 Longines Hathab Tour final round at QEF’s

Al Markhiya coach Younis Ali. indoor arena from today Our aim is to qualify Tribune News Network Doha for QNB Stars League, In what would be a tight and closely fought finale, the 12th says Al Markhiya and final round of the third third season of the Longines Qatar Equestrian Tour Hathab coach Younis Ali 2019-20 – which resumed earlier this month after a long Tribune News Network from any injuries. Talal Ali has break forced due to the out- Doha put his injury behind him. break of the pandemic, will “We will not talk about my take place at the Qatar Eques- Al Markhiya coach Younis situation with the team now. trian Federation’s Indoor Are- Ali exuded confidence and ex- We are all focused on the play- na from Thursday to Saturday. pressed hope of his team win- off game. The organisers – Qatar ning the play-off clash against “The atmosphere in the Equestrian Federation and Al Al Khor at the Al Janoub Sta- club is very healthy. The club Shaqab – have done an excel- dium on Friday and management pro- lent job in conducting 10th qualify for the new vides all that is and 11th legs of the series in season’s QNB Stars needed to achieve a safe environment. Now the League. our target and we 12th and final leg, which will “We want to hope to repay them be a three-day affair starting The Qatar Equestrian Federation’s Indoor Arena win against Al by winning this de- today is set for a thrilling fin- where the final three legs of Longines Hathab Khor in order to cisive match,” said ish with overall titles up for Qatar Equestrian Tour are being held since the play in the QNB Younis. grabs in the Big, Medium and resumption of the annual showjumping series Stars League next Meanwhile, Al Small Tour categories. after the forced break in March. season. That is our Markhiya player The in-form Hamad ambition, espe- Ahmed Mubarak Nasser Al Qadi leads the Big cially because our Kanu said, “We Tour with 180 points and will players provided are ready for this go into the final round as a a very good level match, we can put favourite. But with just seven during the sea- up a similar per- points separating the top four son against odds. formance, like we showjumpers, Al Qadi will We are keen to be in the QNB did against Al Gharafa and have repeat his recent form, Stars League,” said Ali while Al Rayyan in the Amir Cup, where he has won three times speaking to the media. where we qualified for the and finished runner-up once. “We now have the experi- semifinals. Our players are Just three points behind is ence to play important match- now more motivated and have Faleh Suwead Al Ajami (177). es. The team gained it also the desire to qualify for the The 2019 HH The Amir’s from games in the Amir Cup, QNB Stars League. Sword winner won the 11th leg where we have reached the “Our ambition was to di- and will be the biggest threat semifinals. rectly qualify for the QNB to Al Qadi. Khalid Mohamed “The players are at the Stars league, but we could not Al Emadi (175) is third, while highest level of readiness and, be successful. We still have the Salman Mohamed Al Emadi thank God, we do not suffer opportunity to fulfil it.” (173) is fourth, with the both Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, riders needing a victory to take President, Qatar Olympic Overall Standings the crown. Committee. BIG TOUR In the Medium Tour, lead- Hathab meaning ‘Canter’ 1. Hamad Nasser Al Qadi 180 points er Mohamed Khalifa Al Baker A horse is being taken for the mandatory veterinary check prior to the in Arabic, the annual cham- 2. Faleh Suwead Al Ajami 177 has a tough fight on his hands 12th and final round of Hathab on Wednesday. pionship aims at improving 3. Khalid Mohamed Al Emadi 175 as he will try to stave off a late the standard of horse riding 4. Salman Mohamed Al Emadi 173 challenge for the title from lowed by Mohamed Nasser Al competing after a long break. among Qatari youths while 5. Nasser Al Ghazali 169 Mohamed Saeed Haidan. Qadi (181.5) and Mohamed Al “Hathab has been a huge encouraging the involvement Al Baker enjoys a four- Ghazali (178). success despite the difficul- of private stables and indi- MEDIUM TOUR point cushion over Haidan Today, the event begins ties in organising the last three vidual horse owners to grow 1. Mohamed Khalifa Al Baker 188 going into the final round, but with Small Tour class at 4pm, rounds. awareness of horsemanship 2. Mohamed Saeed Haidan 184 the latter has been in imperi- followed by Medium Tour “The organisers have as part of Qatar’s history and 3. Ghanim Nasser Al Qadi 178 ous from since the resump- at 6:45pm and Big Tour at achieved its goals set for the tradition. 4. Mohamed Hazim Abara 174 tion of Hathab, having won 8:45pm. championship, the riders The vision for Hathab the last two rounds. Ghanim Hathab Event Director Ali have performed exception- is to inspire Qatar’s next 5. Alqaqa Adel Nassar 170 Nasser Al Qadi is third in the Al Rumaihi was delighted with ally, which only shows their generation of international SMALL TOUR standings but a 10-point defi- the success of the previous two development in the last three champions. 1. Khalifa Abdulla Al Khaldi 188.5 cit to al-Baker makes his job rounds and hoped that the fi- years,” Al Rumaihi said. Longines, ExxonMobil and 2. Mohamed Nasser Al Qadi 181.5 difficult. nal round too will be held with- The Hathab series Salam World are the official 3. Mohamed Al Ghazali 178 In the Small Tour, Khalifa out a glitch. He also praised launched in 2017 carries a partners of this tournament Abdulla Al Khaldi (188.5) has the level of the riders in the total prize of QR1.5mn and and it is open to all Qataris and 4. Ali Mohammed Al Marri 161 a seven-point lead. He is fol- last two rounds despite them is an initiative of HE Sheikh residents of Qatar. 5. Abdulaziz Ghanim Al Nuaimi 158 Iran’s Ramin Rezaelan poses with Al Duhail coach Walid Regragui after signing a two-year deal with the QNB Stars League champions. Rezaelan signs two-year Bravo becomes first player to take 500 T20 wickets deal with Al Duhail AFP West Indies came in 2014. AFC World Cup Russia 2018 and Port of Spain However, he played in both Tehran AFC Asian Cup 2019, mak- of the West Indies’ Twenty20 ing a total of 35 appearances One day after James Ander- To be able to achieve that World Cup winning teams of Al Duhail received a boost for Team Melli and scoring son became the first fast bowl- right here at home – this is 2012 and 2016. ahead of their defence of the two goals. er to claim 600 Test wickets, where I started playing Bravo, whose globe-trot- QNB Stars League title after Al Duhail, who clinched Dwayne Bravo on Wednesday cricket at age 8. It’s where it ting has seen him employed signing Iran’s Ramin Rezaelan their seventh Qatar Stars grabbed a slightly lower-pro- all started for me and I by more than 20 teams, was Rezaelan penned a two- League last Friday, open the file record by being the first also the first bowler to 300 year contract with head coach defence of their title against player to take 500 Twenty20 can’t be happier to get that and 400 wickets in the sport’s Walid Regragui’s Red Knights Umm Salal on September 3. wickets. 500 here at the Queen’s shortest format. after spending two seasons They will also resume The 36-year-old West In- Park Oval. “This is a batsman’s game. with league rivals Al Shahania their AFC Champions League dies all-rounder reached the We bowlers have it very hard. SC where he scored 17 goals. quest next month when they landmark in the Caribbean Dwayne Bravo My position is I bowl at the Earlier in his career, play UAE side Sharjah FC on in his native back end of the innings to some Rezaelan played for Iranian Matchday Three. Trinidad. at the Queen’s Park Oval.” quality players,” added Bravo. clubs Saba Qom FC, Rah Ahan After two Matchdays, Playing for Trinbago for good measure by bowl- world,” Bravo told Star Sports. Bravo, one of the world’s “So yes, I accept the fact SC and Persepolis as well as the Qatar club are second in Knights Riders, Bravo had ing Roston Chase before rain “To be able to achieve that most sought after T20 players, that I go for runs, but as you having a one-year stint with Group C with three points Rahkeem Cornwall of St Lu- stopped play. right here at home – this is has endured a roller-coaster can see I also get wickets as Belgian outfit KV Oostende. ahead of Persepolis and Shar- cia Zouks caught by New “It’s a great journey, I want where I started playing cricket international career. well. And that is a part of the The 30-year-old winger jah – both on one point, while Zealand’s Colin Munro in the to say thanks to all my team- you know? At age 8. It’s where The last of his 40 Tests game. For me to dominate a was one of Team Melli’s stand- Saudi Arabia’s Al Taawoun FC fourth over of the game. mates. Thanks to all the teams it all started for me and I can’t came in 2010 while his ODI batsman friendly game like out performers at the FIFA top the table with six points. He then claimed his 501st that I play for around the be happier to get that 500 here career of 164 games for the this – I’m happy.” Australia captain Aaron Finch says he will miss English crowd banter AFP against their arch-rivals from But Australia are now set England over here.” but at the end of the day as game, behind closed doors so Southampton September 4-16. to face England behind closed England have just played cricketers we probably play 95 I don’t think that we need any In normal circumstances, doors in response to the coro- six behind-closed-doors Tests percent of our games in front of extra motivation or we don’t Australia limited-overs cap- they could expect to be on the navirus pandemic. against the West Indies and not many people so I think that need any crowd to pump you tain Aaron Finch says he will receiving end of plenty of taunts “It’s always good to have a Pakistan, winning both series, we would be used to it.” up – not that we get it here in miss the “banter” of English from England fan groups such crowd to entertain and the ban- with the white-ball squad de- Australia’s most recent the UK anyway.” crowds during the upcoming as the Barmy Army. ter that comes from particularly feating Ireland 2-1 in a three- ODI, in March, took place with- “At the end of the day we white-ball campaign but is ada- Star batsmen Steve Smith English crowds is pretty spe- match one-day international out fans because of COVID-19. are still playing international mant the absence of spectators and David Warner were the cial,” Finch told reporters in a campaign this month that also Finch, speaking from Aus- cricket,” the 33-year-old bats- will not mean a lack of intensity. main targets during last year’s conference call on Wednesday. took place without spectators. tralia’s base in Derby, central man added. Finch’s men have al- World Cup and Ashes in Eng- “Do they go over the top “I have seen all of it from England, said: “We played the “What it’ll come down to ready arrived in England for land following their roles in sometimes? Maybe, yeah. back at home (on television),” game against New Zealand is pride in your performance three Twenty20 matches and a ball-tampering scandal in It’s all a great thing to be a said Finch. “It is obviously a lit- at the SCG (Sydney Cricket and representing your country three One-Day Internationals South Africa. part of, especially if you beat Aaron Finch. tle bit different with no crowds, Ground), which was our last really proudly.”