WEDNESDAY 6 NOVEMBER 2019 SPORT 07 To get wickets consistently was key. Everyone is Australian captain playing their roles really well, Aaron Finch after FOOTBALL FOOTBALL and we’ve got guys like Steve seven-wicket win Champions League, Champions League, Group Smith, who does what he does over Pakistan in the Group A: Paris Saint B: Bayern Munich vs second T20. ACTION Olympiakos best. Germain vs Club Bruges TODAY’S Qatar’s Al Obaidly ‘ready’ for FINA World Cup

FAWAD HUSSAIN QATAR SQUAD THE PENINSULA Walid Rafiq Daloul, Naser Yaser Hassaan, After his successful run at the Yacob Abdulaziz Al Khulaifi, Abdelrahman recently-held GCC Aquatics Hesham, Abdulaziz Hassan Al Obaidly, Ah- Championships, Qatar’s teenage mad Tarek Samara, Mohamed Mahmoud, star Abdulaziz Al Obaidly is Mohamed Fahad Hussain, Yousef Abdulaziz targeting a top show in Doha Al Khulaifi, Yousef Ashraf Abouelela, Kar- this weekend. eem Salama Salah, Omar Ashraf Abouelela, The 17-year-old, after Mohammed Ali Al Khanji, Tameem Moham-

clinching two golds and a ed Elhamayda, Abdulla Nabil Alkhaldi, Ali bronze medal in Kuwait in the Abdulla al-Nuaimi, Kheddache Nour Eddine regional competition in Sep- tember, hardly took a rest as he was preparing for the FINA looking forward to be more Swimming World Cup Doha fast,” said Al Obaidly. 2019, which begins at the The teenager is one of the Hamad Aquatic Centre 17 swimmers, who will rep- tomorrow. resent the host nation at the The Qatari capital is wel- Hamad Aquatic Centre. coming an array of stars in the Qatar squad also includes three-day event, which will young talent like Yacob wrap up the 2019 FINA Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi, Yousef Swimming World Cup series. Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi and Al Obaidly will be competing Mohamed Mahmoud Mohamed. with the likes of South Africa’s In all, a total of 210 Chad Le Clos and Russia’s swimmers including 134 male Vladimir Morozov. Qatar’s teenage star Abdulaziz Al Obaidly in action in this file photo. INSET: Al Obaidly with his team-mate Omar Hassan (right). and 76 female athletes from 44 “It is going to be a tough countries will take part in the event as all the top swimmers us plenty of experience,” he said. backstroke and 200m indi- individual medley in 2:13.86 for in 100m and 200m breast- event. are competing, and I am looking “My training is going well vidual medley events, which 7th position. stroke events, and the 200m This year, Doha is the last forward to the challenge,” Al and I feel ready for the event,” featured top ranked swimmers. The GCC champion said he individual medley. My first stop of FINA Swimming World Obaidly told The Peninsula. the talented swimmer added. He clocked 1:01.87 in the would look to improve his times target will be to qualify for the Cup series, and will decide the “The presence of the top In last year’s edition, Al 100m final for a commendable in the three events he will finals as it is also a big chal- winners of cluster 3, while the field is giving more motivation Obaidly thrilled home fans by 6th position, and finished the compete in the World Cup. lenge in front of world’s best overall winners will also be in the training. This event gives reaching the finals of 100m decisive race of 200m “This year I am competing swimmers. I am confident and announced.

NFL divisional fight: Cowboys overcome NBA: Suns hand Sixers first loss Giants to stay on top REUTERS a third-quarter surge and Nets 135, Pelicans 125 PHOENIX overcame a bizarre delay to Kyrie Irving totaled 39 the game and roll past Min- points and nine assists while AFP Devin Booker scored a nesota in Minneapolis. leading six players in double NEW YORK season-high 40 points on Antetokounmpo, who figures as host Brooklyn Monday, and Ricky Rubio was named the Eastern Con- nearly blew all of a 20-point Dak Prescott threw three touchdown passes as the added 21 points and 10 ference Player of the Week lead but recovered to knock Dallas Cowboys beat the New York Giants 37-18 on assists as the host Phoenix earlier on Monday, shot 14 off New Orleans. Monday to remain an NFL division leader. Suns handed the Phila- of 19 from the field in a game Irving scored at least 20 The Cowboys improved to 5-3 to stay ahead of delphia 76ers their first loss that began after a delay of points for the seventh Philadelphia (5-4) atop the NFC East division with of the season, 114-109. nearly an hour caused by a straight game, matching the Giants a distant third at 2-7. Aron Baynes had 15 basket malfunction as one Brook Lopez for the most in It was the sixth consecutive victory by Dallas in points and made three of the rims was found to be Nets history since the fran- the rivalry against the Giants, although the Cowboys 3-pointers, Kelly Oubre Jr. uneven during warmups. chise moved from New led only 13-12 at half-time. scored 14 points, and the Khris Middleton scored Jersey in 2012. Devin Booker of Prescott completed 22-of-35 passes for 257 yards Suns shot 53.2 percent from 26 points following a 9-of-15 He posted his third the Phoenix Suns with only one interception while Ezekiel Elliott the field. Phoenix won for effort from the field for the 30-point game and scored carried 23 times for 139 yards for the Cowboys. the fifth time in seven games, slam dunks the Bucks, who have won three 24 of his points after halftime Prescott tossed a 15-yard touchdown pass to its best start since beginning ball against the in a row overall and nine of while shooting 13 of 21 from Michael Gallup, who made an acrobatic move along the 2013-14 season with the Philadelphia 76ers their last 11 encounters with the floor overall and hitting the sideline to reach the end zone, as the Cowboys same record. during the second the Timberwolves. all 11 of his free-throw stretched their lead to 23-15 early in the fourth Al Horford had a season- half of their NBA Warriors 127, Trail attempts. quarter. After the ensuing kickoff, New York’s high 32 points and tied a game on Monday. Blazers 118 Wizards 115, Pistons 99 Saquon Barkley rambled 65 yards on the longest career high with five Rookie Eric Paschall Bradley Beal scored 22 pass reception of his career to set up Aldrick Rosas’s 3-pointers, Tobias Harris scored a season-best 36 points to lead six players in fourth field goal, a 29-yarder, to trim the Giants’ had 24 points and 10 points as Golden State sur- double figures for host deficit to five points with 11:50 remaining. rebounds, and Furkan prised Portland and won for Washington, which pulled Prescott answered with a 45-yard touchdown Korkmaz contributed a the first time at its new home away in the second half to pass to Amari Cooper, who caught the ball at the career-high 20 points for the arena, Chase Center in San defeat Detroit and snap a 25-yard line and continued his crossing pattern all Sixers. Francisco. three-game losing streak. the way into the end zone as Dallas surged ahead Rockets 107, Grizzlies The win capped a six- Troy Brown Jr. scored 14 30-18. Cowboys defender Jourdan Lewis scored the 100 day, four-game homestand points and grabbed 10 final touchdown on a 63-yard fumble recovery James Harden scored 44 during which the Warriors rebounds, Thomas Bryant return with six seconds remaining. points and grabbed 10 had lost to Phoenix, San had 14 points, and Washing- Giants quarterback Daniel Jones lost his NFL- rebounds to lead Houston to defense was torched for an Bucks 134, Timber- Antonio and Charlotte to fall ton’s defense clamped down high eighth fumble of the season to set up the score. a victory at Memphis. average of 126 points in wolves 106 to 0-4 at home before finally after allowing 131 points to Jones lost his seventh fumble to set up a 28-yard Harden was the foun- back-to-back losses at Giannis Antetokounmpo getting the win on Monday. the Minnesota Timberwolves field goal by Brett Maher to give Dallas a 16-12 lead dation of a bounce-back Brooklyn and Miami over the recorded 34 points and 15 Portland took just its second on Saturday night and 159 to late in the third quarter. effort for the Rockets, whose weekend. rebounds as Milwaukee rode loss in five road games. the Houston Rockets. Marchand shines as Bruins down Pens REUTERS scored for Boston. Jaroslav with goals by Ron Hainsey, his previous nine appearances BOSTON Halak stopped 40 of 44 shots. Pageau and Brady Tkachuk in against the Red Wings. Senators 6, Rangers 2 the first 15 minutes of the Coyotes 3, Oilers 2 Brad Marchand’s tie-breaking Jean-Gabriel Pageau scored second. Vladislav Namestnikov Derek Stepan scored the second goal with 1:57 left in two of Ottawa’s five consecutive added a goal in the third game-winning goal in overtime regulation on Monday helped goals on the way to defeating period. as Arizona managed to regroup the Boston Bruins beat the host New York, which had its Predators 6, Red Wings 1 from a late blown lead to get a visiting Pittsburgh Penguins 6-4. two-game winning streak Matt Duchene scored twice win in Edmonton. Marchand’s shot from the snapped. during Nashville’s five-goal, Taking advantage of a left circle went off the near post Trailing 1-0, Pageau opened second-period barrage in a rout turnover, Nick Schmaltz fed and goalie Tristan Jarry’s back. the flurry at 14:56 of the first of host Detroit, which has lost 11 Stepan on the ensuing two-on- Patrice Bergeron added an period for the Senators, who of its last 12 games. one rush, and the center took empty-netter, with Marchand entered Monday with an Nick Bonino, Kyle Turris, advantage to net his second of the getting an assist -- his fifth point NHL-low seven points on the Colton Sissons and Filip season and claim the victory at on the night. season. Forsberg also scored for Nash- 2:01 of OT. Goalie Darcy Kuemper Brad Marchand (centre) of the Boston Bruins battles David Pastrnak had a goal Ottawa went ahead for good ville, while Pekka Rinne made made 26 saves for the Coyotes, for the puck with Jake Guentzel (left) and Kris Letang and an assist, while Jake on Tyler Ennis’ goal 3:35 later 23 saves. who have won four of five games DeBrusk and Torey Krug also then overwhelmed New York Rinne had been winless in and eight of their last 10. of the Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday. 08 SPORT WEDNESDAY 6 NOVEMBER 2019

Steve Smith celebrates after Smith steers Australia reaching his half century against to comfortable victory Pakistan in Canberra, yesterday.

AFP SCOREBOARD It left Smith and Ashton CANBERRA Pakistan Australia Turner with 45 runs to win off F. Zaman c Warner b Cummins ...... 2 A. Finch c Azam b Irfan ...... 17 42 balls, which they managed Master batsman Steve Smith B. Azam run out (Warner) ...... 50 D. Warner b Amir ...... 20 comfortably. stroked a faultless unbeaten 80 H. Sohail c & b Richardson ...... 6 S. Smith not out ...... 80 Earlier, Azam, the world’s as Australia edged Pakistan by M. Rizwan st Carey b Agar ...... 14 B. McDermott lbw Wasim ...... 21 top T20 batsman, again seven wickets in Canberra to A. Ali c Cummins b Agar ...... 4 A. Turner not out ...... 8 anchored the Pakistan innings go 1-0 up in their three-match I. Ahmed not out ...... 62 Extras: (nb2, w3) ...... 5 with a 38-ball 50 as team- Twenty20 series. mates fell around him until he I. Wasim run out (Smith) ...... 11 Total (three wkts, 18.3 overs) ....151 Top-ranked Pakistan set a found support from Ahmed, W. Riaz not out ...... 0 Did not bat: Alex Carey, Ashton Agar, Pat competitive 150 for six off their who notched a maiden, and Extras (lb1) ...... 1 Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Kane Richardson, 20 overs, with skipper Babar entertaining, half-century. Total (six wickets, 20 overs) ...... 150 Adam Zampa Azam hitting his second con- After Pakistan won the toss Did not bat: Shadab Khan, Mohammad Fall of wickets: 1-30 (Warner), 2-48 secutive half-century and Ift- and opted to bat, opener Fakhar ikhar Ahmed clubbing a Amir, Mohammad Irfan (Finch), 3-106 (McDermott) Zaman, desperately in need of quickfire 62. Fall of wickets: 1-22 (Zaman), 2-29 (So- Bowling: Irfan 4-0-27-1, Amir 3.3-0-32-1, runs, was left floundering But their bowling attack hail), 3-62 (Rizwan), 4-70 (Asif), 5-106 Wasim 4-0-34-1, Shadab 4-0-25-0, Riaz against Pat Cummins and was was no match for Smith, who (Azam), 146-6 Wasim 3-0-32-0 out for two, driving to Warner brought up his fourth 50 in the Bowling: Starc 4-0-25-0, Richardson 4-0- Toss: Pakistan Umpires: Gerard Abood and at mid-off. short format off 36 balls, with 51-1, Cummins 4-0-19-1, Zampa 4-0-31-0, Shawn Craig (AUS); TV Umpire: Paul Wil- Haris Sohail came to the six fours and one big six, as Aus- Agar 4-0-23-2 son; Match Referee: Javagal Srinath (IND) crease but only lasted nine tralia reached 151 for three with balls, gone for six. nine balls to spare. It took the wind out of Paki- It put them 1-0 up after the “Credit goes to Smith,” said missing a drive, and when stan’s sails, and the runs dried opening match in Sydney on Azam. Finch fell for 17 to veteran up before Azam and Sunday was abandoned due to “He took the game away seamer Mohammad Irfan, Paki- Mohammad Rizwan began to rain. The final game is in Perth with a magnificent innings. We stan’s hopes were up. push the scoreboard along -- on Friday. are very disappointed. We But with Smith at the until Ashton Agar dismissed “Very pleasing. I thought we didn’t bat well in the wicket, it was never going to be Rizwan and then Asif Ali in were pretty good all day,” said powerplay.” easy and the experienced cam- quick succession. skipper Aaron Finch. David Warner had been in paigner picked the gaps and Azam finally found support “To get wickets consistently fantastic touch after scoring 219 found the boundary ropes with from Ahmed before the captain was key. Everyone is playing without losing his wicket in four impeccabley timed shots, while was run out for 50 -- his 12th their roles really well, and previous innings, and he omi- grabbing quick singles. in the short format -- after we’ve got guys like Steve, who nously smashed 16 off Imad With Ben McDermott at the some fantastic fielding by does what he does best.” Wasim’s opening over. other end, he pushed the score Warner. Ahmed ensured it was Australia is on a hot T20 However, the explosive to 86 for two off the first 10 a competitive score, smashing streak, having not been beaten opener was clean bowled by overs before his partner fell lbw 22 off the penultimate over in their last seven matches. Mohammad Amir for 20, to Wasim for 21. from Richardson.

IPL to introduce dedicated England collapse to give NZ win AFP laid the basis for New Zealand the eighth over. It was a better no-ball umpire NELSON after Martin Guptill had given performance by England in the them a flying start with 33 off field with a much-improved A dramatic England collapse 17 deliveries. catching effort which AFP which saw five wickets fall for Man-of-the-match de accounted for four of the seven MUMBAI only 10 runs allowed New Grandhomme smacked 55 off wickets. Zealand to snatch a 14-run 35 while Taylor produced a But the bowling discipline India’s cricket board is planning to have victory in their Twenty20 more sedate 27 from 24 in a dropped as New Zealand ben- dedicated officials for observing international in Nelson 66-run stand after New efited from eight wides and no-balls at next year’s lucrative Indian yesterday. Zealand were three down in two no balls. Premier League Twenty20 tournament It also put New Zealand to cut down on umpiring howlers. 2-1 ahead in the series with SCOREBOARD This year’s edition of the cash-rich two games to play. New Zealand D. Malan c Guptill b Sodhi ...... 55 league witnessed several run-ins England were on track to New Zealand’s Colin between players and officials with the overhaul New Zealand’s 180 C. Munro c Mahmood b T. Curran ..6 J. Vince c Southee b Tickner ...... 49 de Grandhomme standard of umpiring questioned. when they reached 139 for two M. Guptill c T. Curran b Brown .....33 E Morgan c Munro b Santner ...... 18 celebrates his half- “We will have another umpire for in the 15th over, with captain T. Seifert b Parkinson ...... 7 S. Billings run out (Munro) ...... 1 century against only checking no-balls,” a senior official Eoin Morgan in full flight as he Grandhomme c Banton b Curran 55 S. Curran c Munro b Ferguson ...... 2 England, yesterday. told reporters yesterday in Mumbai. cracked sixes off consecutive R. Taylor lbw Mahmood ...... 27 L. Gregory b Ferguson ...... 0 “Many times you will see it’s a Mitchell Santner deliveries. J. Neesham b S. Curran ...... 20 T. Curran not out ...... 14 no-ball only when a batsman gets out But with England needing M. Santner run out (Billings) ...... 15 S. Mahmood not out ...... 3 and regularly there may be many more. 42 off the remaining 31 deliv- In the space of two deliv- the guys need to get more T. Southee not out ...... 1 Extras (lb1, w5) ...... 6 We want to use the technology. eries Santner turned the match eries Lockie Ferguson bowled games into them at this level.” Extras (lb6, w8, nb2) ...... 16 Total (for 7 wickets, 20 overs) ...166 “There will be an umpire, who will when he had Morgan caught Lewis Gregory without scoring Ferguson and Tickner Total (for 7 wickets, 20 overs) ...180 Fall of wicket: 1-27 (Banton), 2-90 (Ma- be focused on no-balls only and he will by Colin Munro off the final and had Sam Curran caught both finished with two for 25 Fall of wickets: 1-40 (Guptill), 2-42 lan), 3-139 (Morgan), 4-142 (Billings), not be third or fourth umpire.” ball of the over. for two leaving Tom Curran while spinner Santner and Ish (Munro), 3-69 (Seifert), 4-135 (de Grand- 5-147 (Vince), 6-148 (Gregory), 7-149 India captain Virat Kohli questioned Dawid Malan (55) and and Saqib Mahmood to Sodhi took a wicket apiece. homme), 5-162 (Taylor), 6-171 (Nee- (Curran) the umpiring in the star-studded league James Vince (49) had laid a struggle through to the end. “It could have gone either sham), 7-180 (Santner) Bowling: Southee 4-0-28-0, Ferguson after his Royal Challengers Bangalore solid foundation for England “That’s one that got away,” way at the halfway mark. But Bowling: S. Curran 4-0-29-1 (2w), T. Cur- 4-0-25-2 (1w), Tickner 4-0-25-2 (1w), were denied a win when Mumbai at the top of the innings. England captain Morgan said, we knew if we could keep Indians paceman Lasith Malinga over- But Morgan’s dismissal pointing to the lack of expe- taking wickets it would be ran 4-0-29-2 (1w), Mahmood 4-0-49-1 Sodhi 3-0-30-1 (1w), Santner 4-0-41-1 stepped on the final delivery. The blatant started a collapse which saw rience in his squad. touch for them,” New Zealand (3w), Brown 4-0-34-1, Parkinson 2-0- (2w), Neesham 1-0-16-0 no-ball was spotted on the giant screen Munro run out Sam Billings for “We were in control for captain Tim Southee said. 14-1 (1w), Gregory 2-0-19-0 Toss: New Zealand at the stadium but not by the on-field one in the following over the whole chase until we were A sound middle-order England Result: New Zealand won by 14 runs umpire. before Blair Tickner removed three or four down, probably partnership by Colin de T. Banton b Tickner ...... 18 Series: New Zealand lead 2-1 Vince. that’s a lack of experience. The Grandhomme and Ross Taylor South Africans scream, sing and dance as Springboks return

AFP A carnival atmosphere flags as they celebrated the rugby Rosharon Morgan, a JOHANNESBURG enveloped the normally triumph which was all the 34-year-old from western sedate international sweeter after poor recent results Johannesburg, said she closed Thousands of South Africans arrivals section of the by the national football and the family engineering business screamed with joy, danced and airport as Du Toit, De cricket teams. for the day in order to welcome sang at OR Tambo airport near The Springboks dominated the Springboks. Johannesburg yesterday as a first Klerk and some and then crushed pre-match “I’m here because the group of Springboks who won team-mates and favourites England 32-12 in Jap- Springboks are the pride of the the Rugby World Cup returned coaches received anese city Yokohama on Sat- nation,” she said. home. deafening applause. urday to lift the World Cup a “I was listening to the Forward Pieter-Steph du record-equalling third time. speeches of (captain) Siya Kolisi Toit, voted World Rugby Player Winning the four-yearly and (coach) Rassie Erasmus and of the Year two days ago, and the airport as Du Toit, De Klerk showcase of rugby so decisively they were along the lines of scrum-half Faf de Klerk were and some team-mates and has lifted the spirits of a nation uniting us and giving us hope. among the first players to arrive. coaches received deafening mired in economic and social “Right now there is a lot of The victorious squad, applause. quagmires. euphoria in the county, but what coaches and officials are Black and white, male and Although boasting the most we need to do is turn that into scheduled to return between female, young, middle aged and developed economy in Africa, tangible changes. The problem Tuesday and Wednesday as no old, low-income earners and the South Africa is struggling with is that we are not working airline could accommodate the wealthy all descended on the stagnant growth, near Springboks fly half Elton Jantjies (foreground) takes a selfie with a toward (racial) unity. entire group on one flight. airport east of Johannesburg to 30-percent unemployment and fan upon the South African Rugby team’s arrival, yesterday. “There are still many issues A carnival atmosphere salute their heroes. widespread poverty and that need to be addressed such enveloped the normally sedate Many wore replica green and inequality. in state institutions and violence appear with alarming frequency as racial and economic inequal- international arrivals section of gold shirts and waved national Headlines about corruption against women and children also in the media. ities. We cannot overlook them.” WEDNESDAY 6 NOVEMBER 2019 SPORT 09

Four-year IOC pledges $10m to anti-doping fight doping ban for Indian CWG AP not tolerate cheating or about $40m a year comes He’ll be under the micro- KATOWICE, POLAND gold winner manipulations. from the Olympic movement, scope, as WADA deals with “The new future of anti- and the IOC’s injection of a continuing case involving AFP The incoming leader of the doping starts today,” Banka another $10 million contri- Russian cheating. NEW DELHI World Anti-Doping Agency said. bution is significant. Russia is currently asked for more money. The Then, he called upon It has already reanalysed answering questions about India’s Commonwealth Games International Olympic sports leaders, governments hundreds of samples from the manipulation of the data weightlifting gold medal winner Committee said “Yes.” and private companies to Beijing and London Olympics from its Moscow laboratory Ravi Kumar Katulu has been banned IOC President Thomas contribute to a cause he por- that have resulted in at least that is being used to pros- for four years after failing a drug Bach pledged $10m to fight trayed as massively 123 positive tests. Bach said it ecute dozens of doping cases. test, a top anti-doping official told doping in sports, half of which underfunded. will cost about $5m to build A decision on the fate of the AFP yesterday. would go toward storing “It is ridiculous that an similar storage for pre-test country’s anti-doping agency The 31-year-old Kumar, who samples from pre-Olympics organization with the status samples. is expected next month. won the 69kg title at the 2010 Com- testing for 10 years and the of a global regulator has a “This would greatly add “We can’t keep our ath- monwealth Games and a silver in other half toward investiga- budget of less than $40 to the deterrence factor, in letes in this situation for such 2014 (77kg), tested positive for tions and research. million,” Banka said. “An particular combined with” a long period of time,” said Ostarine, media reports said. It was a fitting entrée for average football club has a new testing methods that Yuri Ganus, the head of Rus- Ostarine helps increase muscle Witold Banka, the incoming bigger budget.” have been developed over the sia’s anti-doping agency. mass though is not available to the president of WADA who, after “We need to convince our past few years, Bach said. “We’ve been in this crisis for public. taking the stage following biggest partners that if you’re Banka will formally be five years now, and that “Ravi Kumar has been sus- Bach’s presentation at a world a sponsor of sport, you should elected to replace Craig crisis is unfortunately pended for four years,” National anti-doping conference yes- be a sponsor of clean sport.” Reedie later this week at becoming even worse and Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) International Olympic Committee terday, promised he would Half of WADA’s budget of WADA’s board meeting. deeper now.” director general Navin Agarwal told President Thomas Bach AFP without naming the substance involved.

Former champions set for ATP Finals showdown Djokovic, Federer drawn in same group REUTERS LONDON Nadal confirms London Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer were drawn in the same group for this appearance despite injury month’s year-ending ATP Finals in London while new world number AFP “Thursday or Friday I will start one Rafa Nadal was drawn with hitting services. The idea is to play defending champion Alexander World number one Rafael Nadal, the ATP Finals. Thanks for your Zverev in the tournament’s recovering from injury, confirmed support.” draw yesterday. yesterday he will compete at the Nadal took over as world Djokovic and Federer season-ending ATP Tour Finals. number one this week from were joined by Austrian “Yesterday I had an MRI in Novak Djokovic who went on to Dominic Thiem and Italy’s Majorca and despite a slight strain win the Paris Masters. The Matteo Berrettini in Group to the left abdominal muscle I will eight top-ranked players in Bjorn Borg while Nadal go to London,” tweeted Nadal, the world gather in and Zverev were forced out of last week’s Paris London for the ATP drawn alongside Masters by the same injury. Tour Finals. Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas and has never won the tournament, losing an abdominal Russian Daniil in the final to Federer in 2010 and injury but the Medvedev in Group Andre Agassi. Djokovic in 2013. Spaniard con- Federer has won the ATP Finals a Nadal, who dethroned Djokovic firmed he is set to travel to London record six times in his career -- last at the top of the ATP rankings on after undergoing a scan. winning the title in 2011 -- while Monday, pulled out of the semi-finals The ATP finals take place between Novak Djokovic Djokovic has won it five times. Nadal of the Paris Masters last week due to November 10-17. Roger Federer Hurdler Harper-Nelson Stenson has no concerns about ends retirement to security at Hong Kong Open chase Olympic gold REUTERS now-shelved controversial extradition go ahead as planned. The November HONG KONG bill which kicks-tarted a series of dem- 28 to December 1 tournament fills the onstrations that have turned increas- opening slot of the 2020 European REUTERS with my husband, and my Former British Open champion Henrik ingly violent. Tour’s Race to Dubai. RALEIGH husband was like, ‘We are Stenson (pictured) says he has no The Hong Kong Open tennis event, Prior to appearing in Hong Kong doing it if you want to do concerns about security ahead of this which is part of the WTA Tour and was Stenson, who finished 20th at the WGC American hurdler Dawn it.’” month’s Hong Kong Open as the tour- due to be held in October, was called HSBC Champions event in Shanghai Harper-Nelson (pictured) Discussions are under nament looks set to go ahead despite off while the Hong Kong Open squash last weekend, travels to South Africa is coming out of retirement way for longtime mentor ongoing civil unrest in the Chinese- championships were also cancelled. for the Nedbank Golf Challenge before to chase more Olympic gold, Bob Kersee to direct her ruled city. But the territory’s premier golf taking his place at the Tour’s end of the 35-year-old has said. training again with her Numerousmerous sportingsporting events have competition,comppetition, now in its 61st yyear,ear, wwillill season DP World Tour ChaChampionshipm Harper-Nelson, who husband, Alonzo Nelson, been cancelledncelled in tthehe territory as a in Dubai.Dubai. gave birth to a daughter in assisting in East St. Louis. result of aanti-governmentnti-government demonstrademonstra-- “When youyou have gotgot 7878 of the top April, said on Monday she The challenge will not tions overer tthehe llastast severaseverall montmonthshs bbutut playersplayers in the world, it’s nnevere a bad was training for the 2020 be an easy one, even the Swedede says tthehe European Tour weekweek iiff you’re ffinishinginishing 220th0 even if Tokyo Games and hoped though her physio team event at FanFanlingling should be safe for wewe alwaysalways aim to finish higher,”h he to win a third Olympic has told the 2017 world players aandnd spectatorsspectators.. said.said. 100m hurdles medal. silver medallist that phys- “I’ve never had ananyy real concerns “We“We want hihighergher and wwe have the “I know I still have the ically she looks the best travellingg anywhereanywhere in thethe worldworld to capacity forfor a lotlot betterbetter thanth that. I talent and can do it,” she has in years. play golf,”f,” saisaidd Stenson, wwhoho hhead-ead- feel iitt wwasas a decentdecent stastartrt on a four or Harper Nelson, the 2008 Americans swept all lines a fieldeld tthathat aalsolso inincludescludes fformerormer fivefive wweekeek toutourr hhereere aandnd I’vI’vee had a few Olympic champion and three medals at the 2016 Masters chchampionampion PatrickPatrick ReeReed.d. daysdays to practice beforebefore Sun City,C which 2012 silver medallist, told Rio Olympics and took the “We have a Tour and theythey is mymy next tournament, anand then the Reuters by telephone. top two spots at the recent always putut tthehe safetysafety ooff pplayerslayers DubaiDubai finalfinal andand thenthen we comecom to Hong She retired from the Doha World and fans ffirst.irst. It’s sometsomethinghing Kong.KongK . sport in 2018 to start a Championships. that I lealeaveve fforor tthehe “We’ve“We’ve gotgot to workwork hard and family but said her Olympic dream never But Harper-Nelson believes she can Europeann Tour as ppartart dod thethe rightright tthingshings aandn we’ll get really died. be in the mix. of the stagingging of this thetht return eventually.eventu “The whole time, I didn’t know in my “I know I still have the speed and with event anandd “You nnevere know heart if I was done,” Harper-Nelson said. my technique, I think I can still put together whenevere v e r whenwhen that’sth going During her pregnancy she continued an amazing race and still run some per- there’s tthehe to happen.hap to work out, telling friends she just wanted sonal bests,” said the American, whose per- go-aheadad “It“I would be to feel good, but talk of making a return sonal best of 12.37 seconds makes her the to play a good if Hong became serious after her daughter’s birth joint 13th fastest hurdler of all-time. golf tour-- KongKon could be and she went back to the track in May. She hopes to start the comeback with namentt thattha week “I didn’t want Harper to feel like her several indoor meets. I’m therere whwhere we birth symbolized mom’s dream dying,” said “That (indoor meets) will be important ready to plplay.ay. getg Harper Nelson, who won her first world because when I started training, I didn’t “It’s nneverever beenbeen a concernconcern ofof rewardedre championship medal, a bronze, in 2011. have that pop, that burst of speed,” said mine.” forfo that hard “So I talked with my family and I talked Harper-Nelson. The protestsprotests beganbegan in June over a work.”wo 10 SPORT WEDNESDAY 6 NOVEMBER 2019

TODAY'S FIXTURES

GROUP A Paris Saint Germain vs Club Bruges Real Madrid vs Galatasaray GROUP B Bayern Munich vs Olympiakos Red Star Belgrade vs Tottenham Hotspur GROUP C Atalanta vs Manchester City Dinamo Zagreb vs Shakhtar Donetsk GROUP D Lokomotiv Moscow vs Juventus Bayer 04 Leverkusen vs Atlético Madrid Zidane unfazed by Wales calling up injured Bale Paris Saint Germain players in action during a training session at the Ooredoo Training Centre in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, France, yesterday. AFP BARCELONA

Zinedine Zidane said Tuchel not interested as Bayern keep looking for new coach yesterday he is unfazed by Wales calling up Gareth Bale AFP wake of Bayern’s 5-1 drubbing at next away game comes around season. I can’t think for a who are all currently without a but insists the Real Madrid BERLIN Eintracht Frankfurt, which left the in Duesseldorf (on November 23), minute about another club,” club, have been mentioned by the forward is still unfit to play. defending champions fourth in we’ll know how the coach’s issue Tuchel said on the eve of his German media as possible can- Zidane also reiterated his Bayern Munich president Uli the Bundesliga. has been resolved,” Hoeness side’s Champions League game didates to coach Bayern. desire for Bale to stay at Hoeness says the German giants Kovac’s assistant Hansi Flick added. with Club Brugge. Flick, Joachim Loew’s Madrid for the whole season, expect to name Niko Kovac’s has been named interim coach. According to Sky Germany, Ajax coach Erik ten Hag, one assistant coach when Germany describing suggestions he replacement as coach within Hoeness says Bayern’s senior Tuchel, who is under contract at of the early favourites having won the 2014 World Cup, will be wants the 30-year-old to be three weeks, although Paris figures will “think calmly about PSG until 2021, has been coached the Bayern reserves from in charge at least for Bayern’s sold in January as Saint-Germain boss Thomas how to handle” finding a new approached by Bayern but has 2013-15, has also announced he home matches today in the “nonsense”. Tuchel said yesterday he is not coach with a decision expected ruled out an immediate switch. will not leave the Dutch side before Champions League against Olym- Bale picked up a calf interested in the job. to be made during the forth- “It doesn’t interest me the end of the season. piakos and Saturday’s Bundesliga injury during the last interna- Kovac was sacked on Sunday coming international break. because I’m the coach of PSG. Massimiliano Allegri, Jose showdown with Borussia tional break in October and after 16 months in charge in the “I think that by the time the I have a contract for next Mourinho and Arsene Wenger, Dortmund. has not played any of Madrid’s four matches since. He will also miss their game against Galatasaray in the Champions Bayern League today. Real Madrid look for attacking But Wales included Bale Munich’s in their squad for their two interim coach crunch Euro 2020 qualifiers release as Hazard gathers pace against Azerbaijan and Hungary on November 16 and Flick rings 19 respectively, as they face a AFP fight to qualify from Group E. changes MADRID “It doesn’t bother me,” said Zidane in a press con- AFP Eden Hazard is beginning to ference. “The first one to MUNICH show glimpses of his best form suffer is the player, he wants and it cannot come soon enough to be involved and if he is not Interim boss Hansi Flick says for Real Madrid. ready to play for Wales, he Thomas Mueller and Javi They play at home to won’t play.” Martinez will start for Bayern Galatasaray in the Champions Bale is yet to return to full Munich in today’s Champions League today, when victory training and he is not expected League tie against Olym- would put them within touching to recover in time to play piakos as he rings the distance of qualification from against Eibar in La Liga on changes for his first game in Group A. Saturday, Madrid’s last game charge following Niko Hazard has endured a dis- before the international Kovac’s sacking. jointed and disappointing start break. Kovac was dismissed as in Spain, where expectations There have been sugges- head coach on Sunday in the soared following his long- tions in the Spanish press that wake of Bayern’s 5-1 awaited €100m move from Bale is more eager to play for drubbing at Eintracht Chelsea in June. his country than for his club, Frankfurt. A week later, 50,000 with Marca carrying the His assistant Flick has thousand fans streamed into the headline on Tuesday: “For been appointed interim Santiago Bernabeu to see Hazard Wales, it’s a yes”. coach for Wednesday’s wear the shirt while some even Real Madrid’s Marcelo Vieira (left), Thibaut Courtois, Karim Benzema (second right) and Eden “Right now he is not European tie at home to ran to the entrances to grab a Hazard (right) of Real Madrid attend a training session with coach Zinedine Zidane (bottom right) ready,” Zidane said. “He is not Olympiakos and Saturday’s better seat. ahead of the UEFA Champions League Group A match against Galatasaray. ready to train normally. His league game against As supporters left, Hazard country has the right to call Dortmund. was giving his first press con- him up and what the player Flick, 54, was called to an ference underneath the stadium, before making his first start the player we want him to be in at all when in those attacking wants is to be available. But emergency meeting by Bay- telling a packed auditorium he against Paris Saint-Germain, but this Real Madrid team.” positions he usually relishes. we will see how he is this ern’s bosses on Sunday night wanted to be a galactico. looked off the pace and it was a But the international break Hazard’s most impressive week and what will happen and was “honoured” to be “I’m not a galactico, not yet, night to forget as Madrid were checked Hazard’s momentum showing so far was arguably with Wales and whether he is asked to take temporary but I hope I will be one day,” he thrashed 3-0. and he missed Madrid’s first against Real Betis last weekend, ready or not. For now, the charge. said. Hazard was left on the bench match back, a 1-0 loss away at when Madrid failed to score but point is that he is not readyready.”. Now the former But the grand opening against Osasuna amid reports he Mallorca, due to the birth of his he had his exuberance back, not Germany assistant coach fizzled, in part due to events off was overweight and then scored fourth child. to mention the change of pace wants an immediate the pitch, a combination of bad his first goal against Granada, a In the three games since, he that at times has appeared wor- response from Bayern’s stars luck and personal circumstances delightful looping finish that has appeared in bursts, deliv- ryingly absent. against Olympiakos. that have spared the 28-year- promised finally to unleash the ering exhilirating moments like He was darting through gaps “The goals we conceded old harsher critique from fans Belgian’s best. the glorious flick inside against rather than turning away from recently were not ‘Bayern and journalists alike. “We know the quality of Galatasaray and a run in behind them, taking risks, and unfor- like’”, said Flick in a press On the day before Madrid’s player we have and we know he to win the penalty against tunate to see a superb goal ruled conference. first game of the season away at is going to deliver,” said Zinedine Leganes. out for offside. “We trained today like Celta Vigo, Hazard pulled a Zidane in September. Yet there have been disap- “Everyone wants to see Eden we want to play.” muscle in his thigh in training “Everyone expects a lot from pointments too, not so much playing better,” Zidane said last Both Mueller, 30, and and had to withdraw from the him and he knows that. But we glaring errors as a general week. “But I see him getting Zinedine Martinez, 31, mainly started squad. support him and as the games hesistance, a tendency to choose much better every day. He will Zidane on the bench under Kovac, He sat out three matches go by I am sure he is going to be the safe option or fail to choose get there in the end for sure.” but Flick wants to utilise the experience of the veterans, who helped Bayern win the 2013 treble of Champions League, Bundesliga and Atalanta aim to avoid another Man City slaughter German Cup titles. “Of course, you can’t AFP champions can seal their ticket scoring just two. a thigh injury picked up on be at the San Siro, 56km from change everything immedi- MILAN to the knockout rounds with a Five of those came last time international duty last month. Bergamo, deemed more suitable ately, but it’s also about the win over Atalanta, who have lost out, when an 11-minute Raheem Without him Atalanta have by UEFA than their 21,000- selection with perhaps one Gian Piero Gasperini warned all three Group C games in their Sterling hat-trick helped City to slipped from third to fifth in seater Stadio Atleti Azzurri or two tactical changes,” said that psychology will be key as first ever foray into the elite a 5-1 win in Manchester. Serie A, eight points behind d’Italia. Flick. Italian newcomers Atalanta look European competition. Atalanta hit back in Serie A leaders Juventus after a 2-0 But the odds are stacked as Group B leaders Bayern to avoid another huge defeat at Man City are top of their days later with a 7-1 demolition defeat to Cagliari at the they take on Man City, who are host bottom side Olympiakos the hands of Champions League group with maximum nine of lowly Udinese, but they have weekend. second in the Premier League at the Allianz Arena with a rivals Manchester City in Milan points and 10 goals scored, with felt the absence of star Atalanta can still theoreti- and on a run of 10 wins from fourth straight Champions today. the Bergamo side bottom after Colombian striker Duvan cally reach last 16. their last 11 matches in all League win in their sights. The Premier League conceding 11 goals conceded and Zapata, who has been out with And their ‘home’ game will competitions. WEDNESDAY 6 NOVEMBER 2019 SPORT 11 Hosts Qatar excel in trap events as India’s Bhaker wins gold in air pistol

ARMSTRONG VAS be decided. India’s Manu Bhaker (left) and Xiu Hong Teh of THE PENINSULA Kuwait Naser Meqlad had a Singapore during the women’s 10m air pistol event perfect score in each of the three at Losail shooting Range yesterday. Two Qatari shooters Rashid Hamad rounds shooting down 25 targets PIC: CHINTHANA WASALA/THE PENINSULA Al Athba and Mohammed Al Rumaihi each. Kun Pi Yang of Chinese Tapei kept themselves in the race to qualify is in joint second place with India’s for the final of the men’s trap event Kynan Chenai. of the 14th Asian Shooting Champi- Former World Champion Man- onship. avjit Singh Sandhu and Prithviraj At the Losail shooting Range yes- Tondaiman, both of India shot iden- terday, Al Athba and Al Rumaihi shot tical scores of 71. down 71 and 70 targets respectively Meanwhile, in the team event, in the three rounds yesterday to Al Athba and Al Rumaihi teaming up finish in the 4th and 5th place with Saeed Abusharib produced a respectively. net score of 209 in three rounds and Seven other shooters have shot will go into the second day of the 71 clay targets and share the fourth qualification lying in the third spot. place with Al Athba while six other Kuwait lead in the team event with shooters besides Al Rumaihi are in a score of 218 followed by India (215). fifth place. The next two rounds of the team Today’s action will see the 53 qualification will be held today shooters taking aim at 25 targets in morning. two rounds following which the Meanwhile in the women’s trap, qualification to the final round will Qatar’s Noora Essa Al Ali along with Kholoud Hassan Al Khalaf and Amna Al Abdulla gave something to cheer The Jakarta Asian Games silver shoot 10 and above in all the 14TH ASIAN SHOOTING for the home fans. medallist shot 227.8 in the eight-man attempts. The silver went to Haonan CHAMPIONSHIP Noora is in joint sixth place after final to finish third on the podium Yu (249.1), also a Chinese. However, shooting down 67 targets out of the and add to India’s quotas for the China already has earned two quotas Results: possible 75, while Kholoud and 2020 Tokyo Olympics. in the same event, so they are not Men: 10m air rifle: Amna are in the 12 and 13 place Deepak, who won a bronze entitled to get any more. A maximum 1. Liu Yukun (Chn) 250.5 (629.0); 2. respectively. medal at the 2018 ISSF World Cup of two Olympic berths can be won Yu Haonan (Chn) 249.1 (626.4); 3. The next two rounds of the qual- in Guadalajara last year, qualified by a country per event. Deepak Kumar 227.8 (626.8) ification will be held today morning for the eight-man final in third place Meanwhile, Manu Bhaker of Team: 1. China 1881.9; 2. Korea 1877.9; followed by the final. with a score of 626.8. India has India claimed the women’s 10m air 3. Iran 1872.6 Ray Bassil of Lebanon emerged already secured nine Tokyo quotas pistol gold medal. Women: as the leader after day one with a in rifle and pistol and lies behind The 17-year-old Bhaker shot 10m air rifle: 1. Yang Qian (Chn) 251.6 score of 73 followed by Sarsenkul China (25 quotas) and Korea (12) in 244.3 to win the top prize in her (628.6); 2. Tessa Neo (Sgp) 251.4 Rysbekova of Kazakhstan and the Asian region, besides the host- event. The young India sensation, (627.9); 3. Jung Eunhea (Kor) 228.9 China’s Weiyun Deng. country Japan (12 allotted slots), in had already secured an Olympic (632.2) Team: 1. Korea 1891.7; 2. India In the women’s trap team event, terms of quotas won. quota at the Munich World Cup in 1883.2; 3. Iran 1877.6. Kazakhstan (208) lead after day one Deepak, who turned 32 yes- May. China’s Qian wang and Ranxin 10m air pistol: 1. Manu Bhaker 244.3 of action followed by Chinese Taipei terday, is the second Indian shooter Jiang won the silver and bronze (WRJ) 584 WRJ; 2. Wang Qian (Chn) (207). China and India with a net to earn an Olympic quota in the respectively in Bhaker’s event. 242.8 (583); 3. Jiang Ranxin (Chn) score of 200 are in third place. event after Divyansh Singh Panwar, In the other medals decided 220.2 (576) Elsewhere, birthday boy Deepak who secured it in April. today, Yang Qian of China took gold Team: 1. Korea 1736; 2. China 1733; Kumar secured India’s 10th Olympic China’s Yukun Liu (250.5) in the women’s 10m air rifle followed 3. India 1731. quota after winning the men’s 10m claimed the gold medal after his by Tessa Neo Singapore while Jung air rifle bronze medal yesterday. incredible performance saw him Eunhea of Korea came third.

Action from the Losail Shooting Range yesterday.

India’s Manu Bhaker, winner in the women’s 10m air pistol event poses for a picture during the medal ceremony. Asian Cup win has positively impacted sport development in Qatar: Coach Felix What stands out for me in my journey in my sport so THE PENINSULA Association of Sports Institutes far is how the realization Qatar football team coach Felix DOHA in Asia’ l want to thank the that through the national Sanchez (right) taking part in people of Qatar and Aspire the 4th ‘Association of Sports sport development programs The 4th ‘Association of Sports Academy for hosting us at this the country has started in Institutes in Asia’ (ASIA) Institutes in Asia’ (ASIA) congress fabulous institution. We are congress got off to fine start on at Aspire Academy yesterday. aware of the role Aspire several places – in my case first day at Aspire Academy Academy has been playing in it was at Aspire Academy yesterday with Qatar national Qatar’s rise as a sporting giant and where l was working football coach, Felix Sanchez in the world and we are most with coach Geoff Hunt l came telling the participants that, pleased to hold our 4th Con- Qatar’s lifting of the Asian Cup gress here.” to realise the opportunities has hugely impacted the sports The Congress also heard to apply myself fully to be development in the country. from Aspire Academy graduate the best l could be in my “The purposeful plan and and Qatar’s number 1 Squash sport: Abdulla Al Tamimi intention shown by Qatar and player who is currently 46 in Aspire Academy in choosing to the World, Abdulla Al-Tamimi be patient in building and who alongside his coach former On behalf of the Association developing a team over going World No. 1 Squash player of Sports Institutes in for immediate results proved about challenges presented by observed by players. So, for welcoming speech to the par- Geoff Hunt. Asia’ l want to thank the to be worthwhile. This pathway training during Muslim holy instance we run full training at ticipants, encouraged the con- “What stands out for me in people of Qatar and Aspire has made other sports code in month of Ramadan. night with the players applying gress to continue sharing my journey in my sport so far the country seek to emulate this “Contrary to the notion out themselves like at any other around the development of a is how the realization that Academy for hosting us at approach,” said coach Felix there amongst some that there time, so from this perspective high-performance envi- through the national sport this fabulous institution. We who is also the U-23 coach of can’t be training during you can see how time of ronment for aspiring athletes development programs the are aware of the role Aspire Qatar. Ramadan, we in Qatar have Ramadan has often been mis- on the continent of Asia. country has started in several Academy has been playing During the same session Dr come to appreciate and under- understood or should l say The President of ASIA, Dr places – in my case it was at Alberto Mendez-Villanueva stand that is not the case. What misrepresented”. Takahiro Waku in his opening Aspire Academy and where l in Qatar’s rise as a sporting who is the head of Fitness at we do is to adjust the training The Congress was officially address expressed his gratitude working with coach Geoff Hunt giant in the world and we are Qatar Football Association and times to when its best to opened by Aspire Academy and delight to be in Qatar at the l came to realise the opportu- most pleased to hold our 4th works closely with Sanchez, training just as intense as any Deputy Director General and world renowned Aspire nities to apply myself fully to Congress here: Dr Waku sought to correct the misunder- other period but in consider- Chairman of the 4th ASIA Con- Academy. be the best l could be in my standing in some quarters ation of the fasting time period gress, Ali Salem Afifa who in his “On behalf of the sport.” SPORT

PAGE | 08 PAGE | 09 Smith steers ATP Finals: Former Australia to champions Djokovic comfortable victory and Federer drawn over Pakistan in same group

Wednesday 6 November 2019 Slavia Prague hold Barca at Camp Nou AGENCIES BARCELONA Barcelona’s Lionel Leipzig close YESTERDAY’S Messi (centre) RESULTS Barcelona was held to a 0-0 draw vies for the ball in on last 16 by Slavia Prague in the Cham- possession with GROUP F SK Slavia Prague’s pions League group phase Barcelona 0-0 Slavia Prague with 2-0 Michal Frydrych yesterday. GROUP G and Ondrej The closest the five-time Zenit St Petersburg 0-2 RB Leipzig win at Zenit European champions came to a Kudela during goal was Lionel Messi’s shot that their Champions REUTERS hit the corner of the goalframe in League Group SAINT PETERSBURG the 35th minute. F match played Prague goalkeeper Ondrej at Camp Nou, RB Leipzig were dominant as Kolar also saved shots by Messi, Barcelona, Spain, they followed up on last Satur- Gerard Pique and Sergi Roberto yesterday. day’s eight-goal demolition of to deny the hosts. Mainz 05 in the Bundesliga by Barcelona has eight points in beating Zenit St Petersburg Group F. Prague has two. 2-0 away to stay top of their Dortmund Borussia and Inter Champions League group Milan both had four before their yesterday. game against each other later Marcel Halstenberg Tuesday. thought he had given the vis- Barcelona extended its record itors an early lead with a long- unbeaten streak in Europe’s top range shot, but the goal was club competition to 34 consec- chalked off following a VAR utive home matches, a run that review for handball in the dates back to 2013. buildup by Christopher Nkunku. The scoreless draw comes Leipzig captain Diego three days after Barcelona was Demme put the visitors ahead stunned 3-1 at Levante in the with a dipping shot through a Spanish league, ending a seven- crowded penalty area in first- game winning streak. half stoppage time, after Sardar Barcelona won 2-1 at Prague Azmoun came close to giving two weeks ago. Zenit the lead with a shot which Pique will miss the next trickled wide of the goal. match against Dortmund on Nov. Leipzig, who enjoyed 27 for an accumulation of yellow roughly two-thirds of the pos- cards after he was booked in the session, surprisingly left their first half. believing they have a better in the Champions League, but Verratti, who was out injured now,” said midfielder Idrissa leading scorer Timo Werner on Today, Paris Saint-Germain, chance of winning the Cham- they have never won it in when PSG suffered their third Gueye. the bench. But he was brought who suffered a shock 2-1 defeat pions League - but coach November or December.” league defeat of the season “We’re also focused on the on in the second half and was at the hands of rock-bottom Thomas Tuchel refuses to be PSG will qualify for the last against lowly Dijon. league, but it is true that the almost immediately involved in Dijon in the French League on drawn into the debate. 16 if they win at the Parc des In the Champions League, Champions League being such a their second goal after 63 Friday, will be looking to “It is only November. No Princes on Wednesday, but the however, PSG have won their big competition, we’re more con- minutes. regroup as they face Club team has ever won the Cham- side will only be judged by their first three games against Real centrated.” PSG can also qualify Werner found Emil Brugge in the Champions League pions League in November,” the ability to progress in the Madrid, Galatasaray and Club with a draw if Real Madrid avoid Forsberg, who slipped the ball at home German told a news conference knockout stages, having failed to Brugge, scoring nine goals and defeat at home against through to Marcel Sabitzer, and With Real Madrid, Barcelona on Tuesday on the eve of their reach the last eight in the last conceding none. Galatasaray. Should Real and the the Austrian took the ball past and Bayern Munich looking Group A game against Club three seasons. “Let’s just take it game by Turkish side share the points, the goalkeeper Mikhail Kerzhakov below par this season, Paris St Brugge. Tuchel welcomes back game. Tomorrow we play Brugge Ligue 1 leaders will go through with his first touch before Germain could be forgiven for “Real Madrid have done a lot holding midfielder Marco and we will only focus on that for even if they lose to Brugge. slotting it into the net. Liverpool to play twice in two days in two different countries AFP the Club World Cup in Doha the fol- interests of the competition, our fellow competition itself or placing an undue The European champions LONDON lowing day, meaning the Reds will be clubs and ourselves as the sole moti- strain on our playing staff,” added Liv- will travel to Villa on forced to use two separate squads for vating factor.” erpool’s statement. December 17 for the Liverpool will play two games in two the fixtures. Due to a midweek round of the Jurgen Klopp has fielded a much- days nearly 5,000 miles apart after their “We will be utilising two playing Premier League in December and Liv- weakened side in both Liverpool’s English League Cup League Cup quarter-final against Aston squads simultaneously, with one squad erpool’s participation in the Champions League Cup victories so far this season quarter-finals and will Villa was scheduled for the day before participating in the FIFA Club World League and Club World Cup, there were over MK Dons and Arsenal. play their first match of their Club World Cup semi-final in Cup in Qatar and another in the Carabao no free midweeks to play the quarter- It is expected that first team stars the Club World Cup in Qatar. (League) Cup,” Liverpool said in a final before the semi-finals were due such as Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah Doha on the following day, The European champions will travel statement. to be played in early January. and Roberto Firmino will head to Qatar meaning the Reds will be to Villa on December 17, League Cup “The club would like to take this “We can confirm alternative dates as Liverpool aim to win the Club World organisers the English Football League opportunity to underline that, while this were discussed but, ultimately, none Cup for the first time, leaving younger forced to use two separate announced yesterday. is not an ideal scenario, it is an outcome were considered suitable without com- players behind to fulful the League Cup squads for the fixtures. Liverpool play their first match of which was arrived at with the best promising the scheduling of the fixture.

Gawad arrives ahead of PSA World Championship

THE PENINSULA at the Egyptian Squash Open PSA DOHA Platinum event. The right-handed player, the third The ranks of players in town for the Egyptian to win the World Champi- 2019-20 PSA Men’s World Champi- onship after Amr Shabana and Ramy onship has continued to swell with Ashour, will be hoping to claim his World No. 4 and 2016 world champion second World title in Doha after Karim Abdel Gawad being the latest enjoying a splendid season which saw to touch down at the Hamad Interna- him reaching the semi-finals of the tional Airport yesterday. Grasshopper Cup, DPD Open and the The 28-year-old Egyptian was British and victory in Cairo. received by officials of the Qatar The $335,000 total prize purse Squash Federation who offered the tournament is featuring a total of 64 former World No. 1 the warm players from 24 countries, including welcome and great hospitality Qatar the 56 highest ranked players and is known for. eight wild card entrants. Gawad arrives in Doha three days In addition to capturing the trophy after claiming victory at the season- and the lion’s share of the prize ending World Tour Finals in Cairo money, the winner will also qualify World No. 4 and former world champion Karim Abdel Gawad being Banners displaying the pictures of top-ranked where he got the better of World No.1 for the season-ending PSA World Tour welcomed by Qatari children at the Hamad International Airport yesterday. players who will be in action at the Doha event. Ali Farag, winning 3-0 (11-6, 11-8,11-8) Finals.