Pakistan cap home Test return with series triumph over Sri Lanka page 14

TUESday, DECEMBER 24, 2019

Hassouna, Chanu declared best ’s Fares Ibrahim Hassouna and India’s Mirabai NBA Chanu adjudged best weightlifters at pg 15 GS WARRIORS vs M TIMBERWOLVES Mbappe adds Olympic appearance to packed 2020 wish list

AFP is also due to play for Back at Aspetar for Paris/ at the Euros which run from recovery programme June 12 to July 12. Meanwhile, Kylian Mbap- Kylian Mbappe is putting If I don’t manage to go in If the 21-year-old Parisian pe arrived at Aspetar – the himself forward for the French 2020, I’ll still have 2024 star were to be called up by world’s leading orthopaedic team at next summer’s Tokyo left, in Paris. I’d really like to Olympic coach Sylvian Ripoll, and sports medicine hospital Olympics, while adding that do the Olympics at least he would take his holiday at in Qatar – on Monday for a re- he would not want to fight once in my career. the start of the club season. covery programme. his club Paris Saint-Germain The striker said he had dis- The PSG star was welcomed (PSG) over participation. Paris Saint-Germain French cussed a possible appearance by Dr. Abdulaziz al Kuwari, “Playing in the Olympics, forward Kylian Mbappe at the Games with France sen- Aspetar’s Acting Chief Execu- I don’t control everything,” he ior coach Didier Deschamps. tive Officer. told France Football magazine “The coach was adamant On his arrival at Aspetar, the in an interview to be published he responded to the French that it would never be to the Parisian player said, “Aspetar is on Tuesday. team’s qualification in June detriment of the Euro,” Mbap- incredible and the infrastructure “Of course I want to go, but with a “TOKYO 2020” tweet pe said. “I reassured him by is perfect to work and recover, if my club, which is my em- accompanied by a flashing telling him that I also wanted everything is optimised for the ployer, doesn’t want me to go, emoticon and a French flag. to play in the Euro, and he athletes at its best.” I won’t force a clash. Olympic football at Tokyo, said: ‘So it’s up to you to deal He added: “Many of my “We’ll soon talk about it,” an under-23 tournament with with the people it concerns’. teammates and other people said the 21-year-old, who al- each side allowed three over- “If I don’t manage to go in recommended me to come to ready has a World Cup win- age players, runs from July 22 2020, I’ll still have 2024 left, Aspetar for recovery, and I am ner’s medal. to August 8, which is also the in Paris,” Mbappe said. “I’d happy to be here. I recommend Mbappe had already scheduled date of the start of Paris Saint-Germain’s French forward Kylian MBappe with Dr. Abdulaziz al Kuwari, Aspetar’s Acting Chief Execu- really like to do the Olympics this place for any injury or re- dropped an Olympic hint when the French season. Mbappe tive Officer, at Aspetar – the world’s leading orthopaedic and sports medicine hospital– in Doha on Monday. at least once in my career.” covery purpose as it’s the best”.

QNB Stars League Big guns boom as Al Sadd thrash Gharafa 5-1, Duhail blank Ahli 3-0 Tribune News Network Doha

Defending champions Al Sadd, and former winners Al Duhail returned to the 2019- 20 QNB Stars League action in style recording thumping wins in Round 11 on Monday. While the Wolves roared with a 5-1 victory over high- fliers Al Gharafa at the Al Gharafa Stadium, Al Du- hail blanked Al Ahli 3-0 at the Al Ahli Stadium. The Al Sadd contest pro- vided goals galore as Baghdad Bounedjah opened scoring in the very second minute of the match, before slammed in three goals (13th- minute penalty, 52nd and 72nd minutes). Skipper Has- san al Haydous (31st-minute penalty) also contributed to Al Sadd’s Akram Afif, who scored three goals, battles for the ball the scoreline. during the match against Al Gharafa on Monday. Al Duhail players celebrate one of their three goals against Al Ahli. For Al Gharafa, reduced the deficit in two games in hand, deferred tripped Edmilson. return to action in Round 12 Wakrah play Al Sadd, and Al 74th minute. due to their AFC Champions The QNB Stars will now from January 2, 2020 when Al Ahli meet Al Arabi. Al Sadd now have 18 points League commitment. with two games in hand, Al Ahli remained on 13 against Al Arabi and Al Khor points following their sixth which were deferred due to loss. their AFC Champions League Al Ahli put up a brave fight, engagements. Al Sadd captain Hassan al Haydos celebrates a goal with Baghdad but their players could not Al Shahania, Al Khor play Al Gharafa stand on 20 Bounedjah against Al Gharafa on Monday. match the pace and skills of points as they suffered their their Al Duhail counterparts. third defeat. The scoreline did not out an exciting 2-2 draw Fresh from their FIFA QNB Stars League Standings (Top 5) swell because of the alertness Club World Cup exploits, Al Club MP W D l GF GA GD Pts of Al Ahli goalkeeper Ivanildo Tribune News Network Sadd faced up against one of 1. Al Duhail 11 9 2 0 24 10 14 29 Rodriguez. Doha this season’s top sides in Al 2. Al Rayyan 11 7 4 0 24 9 15 25 Msakni opened the scor- Gharafa, but were in no mood 3. Al Gharafa 11 6 2 3 21 16 5 20 ing after he latched on to a Al Shahania and Al Khor to compromise as they set off 4. Al Sadd 9 6 0 3 26 17 9 18 through ball, evaded the chal- played out a 2-2 draw in their at a blistering pace. lenge of Ali Faiz and placed the Week 11 of the QNB Stars 5. Al Sailiya 11 5 2 4 14 14 0 17 With the game barely a ball home past the goalkeeper. League at the Al Ahli Stadium minute old, the home side Ismail doubled the lead on Monday. was unable to clear its lines jah’s free-kick was handled the penalty area, but the com- moments before the half-time Ahmed Hammoudan (25th as Akram found Bounedjah by Adlene Guedioura in the prehensive victory was well and whistle off a cross from the left minute), and Tiago Bezerra with a through ball and the wall, resulting in a penalty. truly completed by that point. by Paulo Edmilson. (53rd minute) scored for Al Algerian nutmegged his op- Bounedjah then missed the On Al Ahli’s part, Moham- Khor, while Al Shahania’s goals ponent before exquisitely subsequent penalty with VAR Al Duhail 3 Al Ahli 0 med Diame skied his shot and came through Kesse Aman- chipping the ball over an ordering a re-take as Qasem Meanwhile, Al Duhail Abel Mathias headed over the goua (36th minute) and Ramin onrushing to had advanced off his line too blanked Al Ahli 3-0 at the Al bar during the half. Rezaeian (82nd minute). open the scoring. soon. This time, Al Haydous Ahli Stadium. On resumption, Al Duhail Al Shahania ended up Ten minutes later, they took control with a perfectly- Yousef Msakni (29th made forays into the rival goal as the only winless team as were offered the chance executed shot. minute), Ismail Mohammed time and again. The 52nd min- they completed the first leg of to double their lead when The fourth and fifth goals (45+3) and (86th- ute saw brisk action. Ivanildo 2019-20 QNB Stars League. Yousef Muftah brought down of the evening came in similar minute penalty) scored the blocked Edmilson’s shot, Is- They have five points, having Action from the Al Shahania-Al Khor QNB Stars League clash played Bounedjah in the penalty area, fashion from the left side as goals as Al Duhail moved to 29 mail attempted the rebound lost six matches. at the Al Ahli Stadium on Monday. with the referee having no op- played in points, four more than second- and so did as the Al Al Khor moved on to six tion but to point to the spot. Akram to chip over the luck- placed Al Rayyan, who beat Al Ahli goal had a close call. points. Al Khor have played possession with 58 per cent. minated in a long-range shot Akram stepped up confidently less Qasem from an acute an- Wakrah on Sunday. At the other end, Abel was one game less as their Week 7 Both teams had their share of that went in. And the first half to send Qasem the wrong way gle, before he completed his Al Duhail now have a slow to respond to a rebound fixture against Al Sadd was de- chances and the match was al- ended 1-1. and extend Al Sadd’s lead. hat-trick with a well-executed 11-point lead over reigning from , who ferred owing to the latter’s AFC most evenly fought. Tiago again put Al Khor VAR then played a big role pass into the side of the net. champions Al Sadd, who de- blocked Nabil El Zhar’s shot. Champions League engage- After Hammoudan gave ahead with an angular shot. in the third goal as it twice in- Al Gharafa had time for a feated Al Gharafa in the day’s Almoez sealed the win by ment. It has now been sched- Al Khor the lead, Amangoua Al Shahania’s second tervened in the same passage late consolation when Sofiane another kick-off. converting a penalty, award- uled for 21st January, 2020. helped Al Shahania draw par- equaliser came late, in the of play, firstly to rule Bouned- scored a drive from outside of However, Al Sadd have ed after Mohammed Diame Al Shahania dominated ity with a solo effort that cul- form of a header by Rezaeian.