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Qatar Racing’s Roaring Lion wins TENNIS PAGE 18 ‘Cartier Horse Of The Year’ award ATP WORLD TOUR FINALS Manateq International Rally of Qatar all set for flag-off from Souq Waqif Record-breaking Attiyah heads regional field into season finale TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK LOSAIL

THE 2018 Manateq International Rally of Qatar gets underway with a brand new ceremonial start against the backdrop of the hustle and bustle of Souq Waqif in downtown Doha on Thursday evening. All three regional rally titles were decided in Kuwait two weeks ago and that means that individual pride and outright wins are at stake on this weekend’s revised final round in the northern Qatar deserts. The Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) has attracted 15 potential teams on the FIA start- ing list, plus National Rally entrants, Mechanics work to prepare Saleh Bin Eidan’s Mitsubishi for Rally of Qatar action. Omani teams prepare the cars for Manateq International Rally of Qatar. and competitors from eight nations to the final round of the FIA Middle opened the door for Rashed al Nu- already clinched the title, but Jor- 2018 Manateq International Rally of Qatar East Rally Championship (MERC). ami to take his solitary MERC win. dan’s Khaled Juma is heading for This is despite the conclusion of the Resistance in the R5 category the runners-up spot in the absence LIST OF STARTERS (*UNOFFICIAL) respective category battles. comes from Czech rival Vojtech Stajf of both he and rival Ihab al Shorafa. 1. Nasser Saleh al Attiyah (QAT)/Matthieu Baumel (FRA) Ford Fiesta R5 Local hero Nasser Saleh al At- in a Skoda Fabia and fellow Qatari Abdullah al Kuwari returns to 2. Meshari al Thefiri (KWT)/Saffah al Thefiri (KWT) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X tiyah is still celebrating his record- Adel Abdulla, who makes his debut in the hot seat in a Mitsubishi Lancer 4. Adel Hussein (QAT)/Ziad Chehab (LEB) Ford Fiesta R5 breaking 14th regional title and the a Ford Fiesta R5 run by Motortune. Evolution X. 5. Vojtech Stajf (CZE)/Veronica Havelkova (CZE) Skoda Fabia R5 Qatari will also be bidding to break The MERC 2 or Group N cate- The Qatari’s standout perfor- his own record of 13 wins in the Qa- gory will see the closest competition mance so far in the regional rally 7. Saif Abdullah al Harthy (OMN)/Salim al Abri (OMN) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X tar round of the regional series. with eight Mitsubishi Lancers and series was first in Group N and third 8. Mohammed al Meer (QAT)/Ahmad al Fares (KWT) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X Mechanical issues cost him and three Subaru Imprezas set for battle overall in Jordan in 2016. 9. Abdullah al Kuwari (QAT)/Nasser al Kuwari (QAT) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X French navigator Matthieu Baumel through Qatar’s northern deserts. Khaled al Suwaidi is a non-start- 14. Rashid al Mohannadi (QAT)/Yousef Juma (JOR) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX the chance to shine in 2017 and Kuwait’s Meshari al Thefiri has er but there are further local entries 15. Saleh bin Eidan (KWT)/Alexei Kuzmich (RUS) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX 16. Abdullah al Rawahi (OMN)/Ata al Hmoud (JOR) Subaru Impreza WRX STi 17. Humaid al Waili (OMN)/Mohd al Mazruii (OMN) M’subishi Lancer Evo VIII 18. Zakariya al Shanfari (OMN)/Saif al Hinai (OMN) Subaru Impreza WRX STi 19. Jarah al Tauqi (OMN)/Issa al Wardi (OMN) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VII 20. Shaun McGonigal (OMN)/Nathan Marriott (OMN) Subaru Impreza WRX STi 21. Henry Kahy (LBN)/Musa Djiyerian (JOR) Skoda Fabia 1.6 Qatar’s ace rallyist Nasser Saleh al Attiyah. (*subject to FIA technical scrutineering)

for Mohammed al Meer and Rashed being refettled against the clock quired by the FIA to make it eligible al Mohannadi. to ensure that it was ready for FIA for full championship points. TITLE SPONSOR Abdullah al Rawahi heads a scrutineering checks. Friday’s Eraida stage has been six-car entry from the Sultanate There is a further entry for Leb- reduced from 17.02km to 15.87km of Oman that also includes entries anon’s MERC 3 champion Henry and Al Dhakira has gone from for Zakaria al Shanfari, Saif Abdul- Kahy in a two-wheel drive Skoda 18.13km to 12.46km. lah al Harthy, Oman-based Shaun Fabia 1.6. Saturday’s opener at Al Khor McGonigal, Jarah al Tauqi and Hu- Route changes forced on rally has been trimmed from 18.37km maid al Waili. officials by the weather have re- to 13.20km, Al Ghariyah remains Saleh bin Eidan returns to the duced the competitive distance from unchanged and the Al Ruwais spe- championship and boosts the en- 203.40km to 153.82km, but the cial is now 14.22km, as opposed to try from Kuwait in a car that was event still remains within the 75% re- 27.02km in the original itinerary. 2018 FIA MIDDLE EAST RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP: Positions after Round 4

1. Nasser al Attiyah (QAT) 146pts 9. Eddy Karam (LBN) 19pts 16. Abdullah al Rawahi (OMN) 11pts, etc 6. Ahmed Shaban (JOR) 25pts 4. Asem Aref (JOR) 30pts 2. Vojtech Stajf (CZE) 93pts 9. Alexandros Tsouloftas (CYP) 19pts 6. George Englezou (CYP) 25pts 4. Matthias Njeim (LBN) 30pts 3. Meshari al Thefiri (KWT) 59pts, 9. Nasser Khalifa al Attiyah (QAT) 19pts 2018 FIA MERC 2 8. Nasser al Attiyah (QAT) 24pts 4. Constantinos Televantos (CYP) 30pts 4. Roger Feghali (LBN) 38pts 12. Ihab al Shorafa (JOR) 17pts 1. Meshari al Thefiri (KWT) 117pts 9. Abdullah al Rawahi (OMN) 23pts, etc 7. Zacharias Manoli (CYP) 23pts 5. Khaled Juma (JOR) 32pts 13. Ahmed Shaban (JOR) 16pts 2. Khaled Juma (JOR) 49pts 2018 FIA MERC 3 6. Christos Demostheous (CYP) 25pts 14. Savvas Savva (CYP) 15pts 3. Savvas Savva (CYP) 37pts 1. Henry Kahy (LBN) 127pts 2018 FIA MERC Junior 7. Rodolphe Asmar (LBN) 24pts 15. Costas Zenonos (CYP) 12pts 4. Ihab al Shorafa (JOR) 33pts 2. Rony Kanaan (LBN) 39pts Championship for Drivers 8. Henry Kahy (LBN) 21pts 16. Rony Kanaan (LBN) 11pts 5. Costas Zenonos (CYP) 30pts 3. Panayiotis Xenophontos (CYP) 37pts 1. Matthias Njeim (LBN) 39pts.

Hamilton cool on F1 expansion to new countries

AFP LONDON

WORLD champion Lewis Hamilton has questioned Formula One’s poli- cy of organising races in new coun- tries after this month’s announce- ment of the Vietnam Grand Prix. Come meet the champions during the ceremonial start of Manateq - Qatar International Rally, Hamilton told the BBC that the final round of the Middle East championship he would prefer to see more stops at Souq Waqif - Western Square as follows: in countries with a genuine racing tradition, rather than expanding to Ceremonial start Prize giving new markets. Thursday, 15 November 2018 Saturday 17 November 2018 “On the racing side, I don’t know how important it is to go to at 07:05 PM at 05:35 PM new countries as such,” said Ham- ilton who sealed his fifth world title last month. “If you had the Silverstone Vietnamese models attend an F1 ceremony in Hanoi. Vietnam will be the 22nd Grand Prix and a London Grand country in the world to be hosting a Formula One Grand Prix. The 2020 race in Prix, it would be pretty cool.” Vietnam will be the third F1 GP to be established in south-east Asia following The Vietnamese capital, Hanoi, Malaysia and Singapore. (EPA-EFE) will hold a F1 street race from 2020 OFFICIAL PARTNERS: CULTURAL PARTNER ORGANIZED BY: after signing a 10-year deal. and now in the States it is starting to and hardly anyone came. Cool track, Formula One has steadily ex- grow,” said Hamilton. “But you only cool weekend but poor audience.” panded beyond its traditional heart- have one event per year in those plac- Formula One has thrived in MEDIA PARTNERS: lands, adding races in China, India, es. If it was my business, I’d be trying Singapore, but it didn’t last long in South Korea, Singapore, Abu Dhabi, to do more events in those countries. India and South Korea. Vietnam Bahrain, Russia, Azerbaijan and He added: “I’ve been to Vietnam also has scant racing tradition. Turkey, with mixed results. before and it is beautiful. I’ve been Hamilton said: “If you have At the same time, historic Euro- to India before to a race which was the German Grand Prix and you’ve pean races in England, Germany and strange because India was such a poor got a Grand Prix in Berlin, I think Italy have come under threat, while place yet we had this massive, beauti- connecting to cities where a lot of France dropped off the circuit for 10 ful Grand Prix track made in the mid- people are is probably a good thing, years before returning this season. dle of nowhere. I felt very conflicted not necessarily going to countries “We’ve got a lot of real racing when I went to that Grand Prix. where they don’t know so much history in England, Germany, Italy “We had a Grand Prix in Turkey about Formula One.” Sports Thursday, November 15, 2018 17 Agnieszka Radwanska announces retirement Former World No. 2 from Poland cites health reasons for her decision

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Unfortunately I am no DOHA longer able to train and play the way I used to, and ONE of the grittiest tennis recently my body can’t live Switzerland’s Roger Federer in action against Austria’s Dominic Thiem at the ATP Tour Finals at the O2 players on women’s Tour, and Arena in London on Tuesday. (EPA-EFE) a former World No.2 Agniesz- up to my expectations. ka Radwanska will not be seen Radwanska in her in professional tournaments Facebook post anymore as the 29-year-old Federer fumes over has chosen to call it quits. The short-statured player from Poland announced her decision to end her 13 year- long career due to health rea- scheduling row sons on Wednesday through a post on her Facebook account. matches for the evening was “The radio interview that A runner-up to Serena ‘The facts are a response to fan demand to happened over a week ago that Williams in 2012, Radwan- watch a “once-in-a-generation surfaces now in French, Ju- ska won 20 WTA titles in her Agnieszka Radwanska during one of her matches during the 2018 Qatar Total Open in Doha. not right’, says athlete”, rather than any desire lien, who is a nice guy, I know 13-year career. She finished to cater to tennis’s biggest star. him since the junior times, I every season between 2008 my health and the heavy bur- Earlier this February, Rad- the Swiss Tiley is an investor in the think all of this has been to- and 2016 ranked inside the dens of professional tennis, I wanska had made her familiar AFP Laver Cup, a Ryder Cup-style tally taken out of context.” world’s top 15, but was cur- have to concede that I’m not Qatar Total Open appearance LONDON annual tournament promoted Earlier, Federer bounced rently ranked 75th and has not able to push my body to the in the 2018 edition but her by Federer and his manage- back from his opening day de- won a title since October 2016. limits required.” flight was cut short by the tall ROGER FEDERER has hit back ment group Team8, but denies feat with a resounding 6-2, 6-3 She was the first Polish In addition to her Wim- Czech player Petra Kvitova who at claims he gets preferential a conflict of interest. win over Thiem. player to reach a Grand Slam bledon final appearance, came from a set down to signal treatment from tennis tourna- Asked about the controver- The victory keeps Feder- singles final in the Open Era, Radwanska reached the semi- the end of the Pole in the Round ments due to his status as one sy, former world number one er’s hopes of qualifying for the when she finished runner-up to finals of the Australian Open of 32 in an absorbing match. of the sport’s all-time greats. Federer said that while he does semi-finals alive and keeping Serena at Wimbledon in 2012. twice, and won the season- Kvitova, who was return- Federer was responding to speak to tournament chiefs his impressive 14-1 record of She was also one of the ending WTA Finals in 2015. ing after a surgery following a controversial comments from about scheduling, he doesn’t reaching the final four in 16 most consistent players on “I’m hanging the racquet knife attack from an intruder French veteran Julien Benne- believe he gets special favours. appearances in tact. tour, finishing in top 10 rank- Agnieszka Radwanska on her up and say goodbye to the pro back home, went on to win the teau, who said the 20-Grand South African Kevin An- ings for six straight seasons arrival at the Hamad Internation- tour, but I’m not leaving ten- title in Doha. Slam champion was able to derson tops the group with a between 2011-2016. al Airport in February this year. nis,” she added. Then, it didn’t seem that use his reputation to secure 2-0 record after he claimed 11 However, she had been “Tennis is and always has Radwanska, who’s best finish in favourable scheduling. straight games in a one-sided struggling for form and fitness the way I used to, and recently been special in my life. But Doha was in 2008 when she lost Benneteau offered Feder- Yeah, sometimes they come 6-0, 6-1 victory over Japan’s and could not win any title my body can’t live up to my now it’s time for new chal- in the semis to eventual cham- er’s matches at the last two ask, sometimes they don’t. Kei Nishikori. since October 2016. expectations,” Radwanska, 29, lenges, new ideas, equally as pion Maria Sharapova, wouldn’t Australian Opens as evidence, But a lot of the facts are not Federer’s fate rests on how “Unfortunately I am no said in a post on Facebook. exciting as those on the tennis be back for another round of her suggesting the Swiss star was right, just to be clear there, well he plays against Ander- longer able to train and play “Taking into consideration court, I hope.” desert swing in Qatar. granted his preference to play from what I heard. son in the final round-robin in the evening session to avoid matches on Thursday. the blistering Melbourne heat. Roger Federer “I could win and still “Over the last two Australi- not make it,” said Federer. an Opens, he played 14 match- “(It’s) important for me to play Djokovic moves closer to ATP semis es, because he was champion “I get asked ‘would you like a good last match here, try to and finalist. And he played 12 to play Monday or Tuesday’ beat Kevin. He has been play- or 13 of them in the night ses- sometimes. Sometimes I get ing great. He has had a won- semifinals.” sion,” Benneteau told France’s asked, ‘Do you want to play derful season.” Beats Zverev in Djokovic’s run of 22 RMC Sport recently. day or night?’ Sometimes they The next meeting between matches unbeaten ended at “On the same day Federer go ask my agent,” Federer told Anderson and Federer will be a straight sets the Paris Masters final with a played Jan-Lennard Struff, reporters after his win over chance for the 20-time Grand DPA defeat to Karen Khachanov. Novak Djokovic played Dominic Thiem at the ATP Fi- Slam winner to get revenge. LONDON Djokovic was struggling with Gael Monfils. nals on Tuesday. Anderson conquered flu symptoms at the time. “Any tournament director “Sometimes they ask me, Federer in a five-set epic quar- NOVAK DJOKOVIC moved a The same issue returned in would put Djokovic-Monfils you know, Asia wants you to ter-final at Wimbledon before step closer to a record-equal- London, where Djokovic often on the night session at 7:30pm, play at night. Yes, sometimes going on to his second Grand ling sixth ATP Finals crown used tissues to wipe his nose right? But no. They played at we have our say. But I asked to Slam final in July. with a 6-4, 6-1 win over Ger- between games. 2:30pm, in 104 degrees. And play Monday at the US Open “He played great against many’s Alexander Zverev in “Somehow I managed to Federer-Struff played at night. and I played Tuesday night. me at Wimbledon,” added London on Wednesday. gather the strength when I “It’s normal that he gets “It’s all good, you know. Federer. The 31-year-old Serb is needed it,” said Djokovic. preferential treatment, with I’ve had that problem for 20 “My first-round match now unbeaten at the top of the “I think also it seemed like everything he’s done. But, in years in the good way. Some- here wasn’t great, so today was Guga Keurten group with a Sascha was not feeling really some tournaments, there are times I get help, sometimes I better, and I need to keep that 2-0 record. great, definitely not playing big differences in the condi- don’t. I think there you have it. up against Kevin, obviously, if Djokovic will advance to Serbia’s Novak Djokovic in action during his group stage match well, especially from the back tions. He has no idea what “Yeah, sometimes they I want to have a chance to stay his eighth year-end champi- against Germany’s Alexander Zverev. (REUTERS) of the court. that’s like.” come ask, sometimes they here in London.” onships semi-final if American He made a lot of errors.” But Federer was supported don’t. But a lot of the facts are Thiem needs to see results John Isner beats Marin Cilic a bit easier than expected be- fault from Zverev in the next The second set was much by world number one Novak not right, just to be clear there, go his way for any chance of or if Cilic wins in three sets af- cause he served very well in game gifted Djokovic the set quicker as more unforced Djokovic on Monday, with his from what I heard.” qualification after his second ter the evening session. the first set, but it dropped in after 48 minutes. errors started to build to a rival suggesting the six-time Federer is bidding to win straight loss puts him at the The world number one the second set and allowed me “Obviously I had chanc- match total of 36 for Zverev, Australian Open winner had his 100th career singles title at bottom of the Lleyton Hewitt broke late in the first set and to step in.” es in the first set,” said the and a long backhand con- actually earned the right to the ATP Finals and he made it group. “I didn’t feel good out twice in the second set to com- However, Zverev had the 21-year-old world number five. ceded the first break for a 3-1 “special treatment” for all the clear he wanted to draw a line there. I was playing very, very plete the victory in 76 minutes. first two break point oppor- “If I break him at 4-All, Djokovic lead. good he has done for the sport. under the favouritism issue. bad,” said Thiem. “I don’t think it was tunities at 4-4 after Djokovic we’ll see where the match goes. “I just started missing un- Australian Open tourna- “I don’t really in feel the “I have to get my tennis breathtaking tennis, but a win double-faulted, but the Wim- I think the match was much necessary balls,” said Zverev. ment director Craig Tiley also mood during a World Tour Fi- back. I really want to play a is a win,” said Djokovic. bledon and US Open champi- closer than the score says. “Novak, when he’s in the released a statement saying nals to discuss that topic, to be good match. Doesn’t matter if “He wasn’t close to his best on escaped with a drop shot to “Hopefully I still give my- rallies, he’s obviously very the scheduling of Federer’s honest,” he said. it’s the last one here or not.” in the second set so it looked remain ahead. And a double- self the best chance to be in the hard to beat. Curran’s blitzkrieg innings, Buttler fifty Skipper , spinners rescue England in Pallekele Test give Bangladesh the edge SCOREBOARD REUTERS SCOREBOARD BANGLADESH (1ST INNINGS): 522-7 DECLARED PALLEKELE ZIMBABWE (1ST INNINGS): 304 ENGLAND (1ST INNINGS) BANGLADESH (2ND INNINGS) SAM CURRAN exhibited his R. Burns c de Silva b Dananjaya ...... 43 Liton Das b Jarvis ...... 6 K. Jennings c Dickwella b Lakmal ...... 1 Imrul Kayes c Mavuta b Jarvis ...... 3 six-hitting prowess and Jos B. Stokes lbw b Perera ...... 19 Mominul Haque c Chakabva b Tiripano ...... 1 Buttler made an enterprising J. Root b Pushpakumara ...... 14 Mohammad Mithun c Chakabva b Raza ...... 67 63 to help England overcome J. Buttler c Karunaratne b Pushpakumara ...... 63 c Mavuta b Tiripano ...... 7 a top order collapse and post M. Ali lbw b Pushpakumara ...... 10 Mahmudullah Riyad ...... 101 B. Foakes c de Silva b Perera ...... 19 Ariful Haque b Williams ...... 5 285 in the first innings on S. Curran c Karunaratne b Perera ...... 64 Mehidy Hasan not out ...... 27 the opening day of the sec- A. Rashid lbw b Perera ...... 31 Extras: (b5, lb1, w1) ...... 7 ond Test against Sri Lanka on J. Leach b Dananjaya ...... 7 TOTAL: (declared for six , 54 overs) ...224 Wednesday. J. Anderson not out ...... 7 Fall of wickets: 1-9 (Imrul), 2-10 (Liton), 3-10 Extras: (b4, lb 3) ...... 7 (Mominul), 4-25 (Mushfiqur), 5-143 (Mithun), England were reeling at TOTAL: (All out, 75.4 overs) ...... 285 6-151 (Ariful). 89-4 when Buttler somewhat Fall of wickets: 1-7 (Jennings), 2-44 (Stokes), 3-65 Bowling: Jarvis 11-2-27-2, Tiripano 11-1-31-2, steadied the innings before (Root), 4-89 (Burns), 5-134 (Ali), 6-165 (Foakes), Williams 16-2-69-1(w1), Raza 7-0-39-1, Mavuta Curran clobbered six sixes in 7-171 (Buttler), 8-216 (Rashid), 9-225 (Leach), 9-0-52-0. 10-285 (Curran). Bangladesh Mahmudullah Riyad reacts after scoring a ZIMBABWE (2ND INNINGS) his blistering 64 to help them Bowling: Lakmal 12-1-44-1, Perera 24.4-5-61-4, H. Masakadza c Mominul b Mehidy ...... 25 to a competitive score. Pushpakumara 23-4-89-3, De Silva 2-0-4-0, century on the fourth day of the second Test against Zimbabwe at B. Chari lbw b Taijul ...... 43 Sri Lanka lost Kaushal Dananjaya 14-1-80-2. the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka on Wednesday. (AFP) B.Taylor not out ...... 4 Silva in their wobbly reply to Sri Lanka: K. Silva, D. Karunaratne, R. Silva, K. S. Williams not out ...... 2 England’s Sam Curran during his whirlwind innings of 64 runs on Mendis, A. Mathews, N. Dickwella, D. de Silva, D. Extras: (b1, lb1) ...... 2 be 26-1 at stumps, trailing by Perera, S. Lakmal(captain), A. Dananjaya, M. AFP the side declare the second in- TOTAL: (For two wickets, 30 overs) ...... 76 259 runs. the first day of the second Test against Sri Lanka at the Pallekele Pushpakumara DHAKA nings on 224-6. Fall of wickets: 1-68 (Masakadza), 2-70 (Chari) Dimuth Karunaratne was International Stadium in Kandy on Wednesday. (AFP) Toss: England. Off-spinner Mehidy Bowling: Mustafiz 3-1-2-0, Taijul 13-2-34-1, Khaled batting on 19 with Malinda MAHMUDULLAH RIYAD Hasan broke a 68-run open- 4-1-15-0, Mehidy 7-2-16-1, Ariful 3-1-7-0. Pushpakumara on one at the Jennings in the fifth over be- review before succumbing to Curran lit up the final ses- scored his first Test century in ing stand by removing Ham- Toss: Bangladesh. other end. fore the home side’s spinners a second to be trapped lbw by sion with his binge-hitting, more than eight years as Bang- ilton Masakadza for 25 after Earlier, England captain set about disrupting the rest of Dilruwan Perera (4-61). bringing up his third Test fifty ladesh set Zimbabwe a towering he dropped the Zimbabwe trailed the hosts by 367 runs. Joe Root won the toss and un- the top order. Root’s struggle against left- with his fifth six. 443-run target to win the second captain on five off debutant Zimbabwe lead the two- surprisingly elected to bat as England named an un- arm spin, meanwhile, com- The left-hander dominated Test in Dhaka on Wednesday. pacer Khaled Ahmed. Bren- match series 1-0 after last the tourists, 1-0 up in the three- changed side but shuffled their pounded England’s crisis after his 60-run partnership for the The hosts began their vic- don Taylor and Sean Williams week’s victory in Sylhet – their match series, sought to build on batting lineup and Ben Stokes the captain, dismissed twice by final – the only 50-plus tory push, reducing Zimbabwe remained at the crease on four first away Test win in 17 years. their victory in Galle last week. (19) was unable to justify his Rangana Herath in his farewell stand in the England innings – to 76-2 at stumps on the fourth and two respectively, facing A draw in the game would Stand-in skipper Suranga promotion to number three, test in Galle, fell for 14 to Push- with James Anderson before day after Mahmudullah’s un- a monumental task to win or give them their first Test series Lakmal dismissed Keaton the all-rounder surviving a pakumara (3-89). being the last man out. beaten 101 off 122 balls helped avoid a loss as Zimbabwe still win in seven years. 18 Thursday, November 15, 2018 Sports Clinical Selby wins QSF No.1 title The Englishman eases past Egypt’s Omar Mosaad in Doha meet AYENI OLUSEGUN DOHA

ENGLAND’S Daryl Selby put on a squash clinic to beat Egyp- tian top seed Omar Mosaad in three straight games and claim the QSF No.1 PSA Tour Bronze tournament at the Khalifa In- ternational Squash & Tennis Complex in Doha on Wednes- day. Egypt’s Omar Mosaad hits a shot against England’s Daryl Selby during The 36-year-old showed the final of the QSF No.1 tournament at the Khalifa International no sign of age in the contest Tennis & Squash Complex on Wednesday. which has a total prize money of $51,000. comeback, forcing errors from “There’s not many sport BEST MATCH the Egyptian to seal the cham- where 36-year-olds still win pionship 11-6. titles. So I take inspiration This was probably my “This was probably my from guys like Roger Federer best match. The first best match. The first game in tennis who is still top of game was crucial for was crucial for me. I put pres- the game and Nick Matthews me. I put pressure on sure on him and I didn’t let (squash champion) who him and I didn’t let him him play his game today. I am played at a top level,” said play his game today. I glad I managed to get it done,” Selby who won 11-9, 11-6, 11-6 Selby said. in 41 minutes. am glad I managed to “It’s my first title in a long “But these days with sci- get it done time and I didn’t expect to win. ence and new technology, Playing someone like Mosaad you can push your body a lit- QSF No.1 Tournament Director Saad al Mohannadi poses with winner Daryl Selby (right) and runner-up Omar Mosaad on Wednesday. Daryl Selby who is the top seed, it was a tle bit more and I hope to do (PHOTOS: HANSON K JOSEPH) nice feeling to win against him that so I can compete with to play in the final today, it because he is a great player.” the youngsters for as long as tian into committing several In the second game, Selby game 11-6. day I tried to push hard but doesn’t matter the result.” “I always enjoy coming to I can,” he added. stroke points. The first game leapt to big lead and had game “It’s a long tournament he played really amazing,” Mosaad however showed Doha. Thanks to the organiz- Selby took the first game ball fell to Selby at 10-7 and ball at 10-6. Mosaad looked and I have paled four matches Mosaad said. a glimpse of life in the third to ers for making us comfortable by making Mosaad uncom- he close out the game on his tired on court and the English- already. Every match takes “I guess I was a little bit lead 3-1 but the experienced and putting on this event,” he fortable, forcing the Egyp- second. man wasted no time to seal the something from you and to- fatigued today but I am happy Selby drowned any hopes of a added. Qatar Racing’s Roaring Lion wins World Cup qualifying ‘Cartier Horse Of The Year’ award QNB Al Rayyan & Qatar Enable picks Cartier Older International Showjumping Horse award at QEF from today TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK DOHA TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK DOHA QATAR Racing’s Roaring Lion was, on Tuesday, re- TOP class showjumping vealed as the 2018 Cartier competition shall continue in Horse Of The Year at the Qatar following the just-con- 28th annual Cartier Racing cluded world-class Longines Awards, European horserac- Global Champions Tour ing’s equivalent of the Oscars. (LGCT) at Al Shaqab with the Owned by Qatar Rac- QNB Al Rayyan and Qatar ing Limited, the outstand- International Showjumping ingly talented and consistent Competition to be held at the three-year-old colt becomes Qatar Equestrian Federa- the fourth Cartier Horse Of tion’s outdoor arena. The Year in the last five years The first of the two World to be trained by John Gosden Cup qualifying events, the at Newmarket, following on QNB Al Rayyan Interna- from Kingman (2014), Gold- tional Showjumping Com- en Horn (2015) and Enable petition will be conducted (2017). by the Qatar Equestrian and Purchased as a yearling by Modern Pentathlon Federa- Qatar Racing’s racing manag- tion from today (November er David Redvers at the 2016 Qatar Racing’s Roaring Lion won the 2018 Cartier Horse Of The Year at the annual Cartier Racing Awards, 15-17). Keeneland September sale European horseracing’s equivalent of the Oscars. The riders will not only The first of the two World Cup qualifying events, the QNB Al Rayyan for US$160,000, the son of be competing for glory but, International Showjumping Competition will be held at the Qatar Kitten’s Joy enjoyed an out- cesses by dropping back to a following up in the Breeders’ Prendergast) more importantly, to qualify Equestrian Federation’s outdoor arena from today. standing year. mile to claim a hard-fought Cup Turf at Churchill Downs. Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: for the International Eques- Following excellent per- victory on soft ground in the On the night Gosden be- Roaring Lion (John Gos- trian Federation’s FEI World with ExxonMobil and Al Bal- experience al fresco dining formances in the 2,000 Guin- Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at came only the second trainer den) Cup Jumping 2019. agh. Their continued support provided by specially select- eas and Derby, Roaring Lion Ascot on British Champions to take home a total of five Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: Over 100 entries have is important to help raise ed food outlets at the venue. landed three G1 contests over Day. Cartier awards, after Aidan Alpha Centauri (Jessica been received for these com- the standard of equestrian Entry for spectators for 10 furlongs in the space of Enable this time picked O’Brian achieved the same Harrington) petitions. sports in Qatar,” said Badr al both the events is free. just over two months from up the Cartier Older Horse feat in 2016. Cartier Sprinter: Mabs Equestrian enthusiasts Darwish, Secretary- General, July to September. Earlier award, adding another award Cross (Michael Dods) can expect to enjoy exciting Qatar Equestrian and Mod- Showjumping timings he had also won the Coral- to Gosden’s record. After an 2018 Cartier Racing Cartier Stayer: Stradivarius and thrilling competitions ern Pentathlon Federation. for the weekend Eclipse at Sandown Park, injury-interrupted campaign, Awards (John Gosden) over the next two weekends. The mandatory checks Thursday, November 15: the Juddmonte International the star filly returned to her Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt: Cartier Older Horse: Enable “I would like to express for the horses took place on 1:30–7:30pm at York and the QIPCO Irish brilliant best at the end of Too Darn Hot (John Gos- (John Gosden) my sincere appreciation to Wednesday Friday, November 16: Champion Stakes at Leopard- the season when winning a den) Cartier Horse of the Year: QNB who, once again, has Besides the competition, 1.30–7:30pm stown. second Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Roaring Lion (John Gos- come to the fore to support families can enjoy free pony Saturday, November 17: He followed those suc- Triomphe at Longchamp and Skitter Scatter (Patrick den) both these events together rides for children as well as 2–7:30pm Al Ghawja gallops to Purebred Arabian Claiming Race victory

trained by Jassim Moham- Izzthatright claims med Ghazali Jahromi. Umm Al Houl Cup The final race of the day over 1800 yards, the Pure- bred Arabian Claiming Race TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK saw Stephan Ladjadj ride the DOHA Julian Colin Smart-trained Al Ghawja to victory by two- IZZTHATRIGHT, owned by and-a-half length. Injaaz Stud and trained by AJS Al Ruwais, sad- Mohammed Ghazali Jah- dled by Faleh Bughanaim romi, won the Umm Al Houl and trained by Hadi Nasser Cup which was the feature Rashid al Ramzani, came race of the 7th Race Meeting second. of the Qatar Racing & Eques- The third place was trian Club (QREC) run over clinched by Arghad (FR), an- a distance of 1200 yards at other of Julian Colin Smart- the Al Rayyan racecourse on trained horses, ridden by JP Wednesday. Guillambert. Izzthatright was guided Mathieu Pelletan ensured to victory by jockey Harry a fourth-place finish for Ku- Bentley, and beat the Ibra- foo (FR), trained by Alban him Saeed Ibrahim al Malki Elie Marie De Mieulle. trained Shobrom of the Ru- As per the conditions of mailah Stud. the race, bonus is given to Astley Hall ridden by Sal- the owner & trainer of the eem Golam finished third. horse for horse/s run in the Hall is owned by Khalifa Bin first 5 positions at it’s very Stephan Ladjadj astride Al Ghawja after winning the Purebred Arabian Sheail KH J al Kuwari, and next start. The Izzthatright team with their trophies. Claiming Race. Sports Thursday, November 15, 2018 19

QATAR SHOCK SWITZERLAND IN FRIENDLY

Qatar’s forward Akram Afif (centre) scores his team’s only goal past Switzerland’s goalkeeper Yvon Mvogo next to defender KevinMbabu during a friendly match at the Cornaredo Stadium in Lugano on Wednesday. Qatar will play Iceland next week Friday (29 November) as part of their preparation for the AFC Asian Cuyp 2019. (AFP) Croatia keen to avoid Spain lash Coach Zlatko Dalic says the World Cup finalist needs victory

AFP Croatia, a country of 4.2 ZAGREB million people, reached the World Cup final for the first HAVING finally shaken off time, inspired by playmaker their World Cup hangover, Luka Modric, and despite los- finalists Croatia are aiming ing 4-2 to France Dalic and his for their first Nations League players were welcomed home victory when they face Spain as heroes. on Thursday, the side who in- But only two months later flicted a 6-0 drubbing in Sep- “Vatreni” -- Croatian for “Fiery tember. Ones” -- suffered the humilia- Spain’s national team head coach Luis Enrique (right) and defender Coach Zlatko Dalic has tion of the thrashing by Spain Sergio Ramos at a press conference in Zagreb on Wednesday. (AFP) named a 25-man squad, in- in their first Nations League cluding three new faces, to face match. day. fresh blood,” Dalic said. Spain at Zagreb’s Maksimir They improved to draw 0-0 “We are in much better Cheering from the stands stadium and England on No- with England in a rematch of shape than then. It was a de- will be striker Mario Mandzu- vember 18 at Wembley. the World Cup semi-final, but Croatia’s head coach Zlatko Dalic (right) and midfielder Luka Modric at a press conference at the Maksimir bacle and we need to look for kic, defender Vedran Corluka “I’m focused on the match the game was played in eerie Stadium in Zagreb on Wednesday. (AFP) revenge... with three points.” and goalkeeper Danijel Suba- against ‘La Furia (Roja)’, we silence at an empty stadium in Dalic has rejuvenated the sic, who all retired from inter- need that victory,” Dalic said Rijeka. - ‘Fresh blood’ -Because drid player was nearing full fit- stressed that his main goal was squad with three young play- national football after Russia. earlier this month. UEFA banned fans from of the lockout against Eng- ness, Dalic said. to qualify for the Euro 2020, ers -- forwards Josip Brekalo It will be an opportunity for “I know that many people the game over the carving of land, Thursday’s match will “After a year of excellent said the team was motivated by and Nikola Vlasic and defender the trio to bid a symbolic fare- do not believe that our team is a swastika into a pitch during be Modric’s first in front of games he cannot be constantly a wish for revenge. Duje Caleta-Car. well in front of their home fans. capable of winning both games a Euro 2016 qualifier against his home fans since the World in good shape. “The match, our approach Brekalo, who plays for Bun- “They are part of our fam- but I reply -- we will do now as Italy. That was just the latest in Cup. “I never had doubts about and our fitness will be com- desliga side VfL Wolfsburg, is ily, we should not forget the we did in Russia, step by step. a litany of offences for racism After a superb year that Luka ... he is the leader and he pletely different” compared to set to make his debut against moments from Russia... We “First, Spain,” he told the that has seen Croatia consist- landed him the FIFA player of will be at a high level.” the demolition by Spain, he Spain. want unity as it was this sum- Jutarnji List newspaper. ently punished. the year award, the Real Ma- Dalic, who repeatedly told a press conference Mon- “I’m always saying we need mer,” Dalic said. Fulham fire manager WEEKLONG PARIS SAINT GERMAIN TOUR QFA awards committee Jokanovic, appoint Qatari talent Ahmed trains announce voting process TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK each category. with PSG second team DOHA QNB Stars League team Ranieri as new boss coaches, Qatar national team THE Qatar Football Associa- coach, Qatar Olympic team tion’s (QFA) Awards Commit- coach, team managers, media DPA tee Board meeting announced representatives, representa- LONDON on Wednesday the start of vot- tive of Qatar Football Associa- ing process for the best player tion (QFA), representative of FULHAM fired manager Slav- and best Under-23 player as Qatar Stars League Manage- isa Jokanovic on Wednesday the QNB Stars League’s first ment, as well as president and and replaced him with Claudio leg has come to an end. Board members of the QFA Ranieri, who won an improb- The awards presented will participate in the final vot- able Premier League title with were for the best player, best ing process. Leicester City in 2016. Under-23 player, best coach, The deadline for submis- The 67-year-old Ranieri top scorer (Mansour Muf- sion of forms is 20th Novem- receives a “multi-year” con- tah Award), best referees and ber, 2018. tract in taking over for Jo- Football For All. The voting process will be kanovic, who led Fulham back Voting forms were sent out held in two phases as was the into the top flight last season after shortlisting 30 players in case in the 2017-18 season. by winning the Championship A file photo of Nantes’ Italian play-offs. head coach Claudio Ranieri. The Cottagers have found the going tougher this cam- season, French club Nantes. paign and sit bottom of the ta- “The objective at Fulham Kante turned down offshore ble with just one win and five should never be to merely sur- points from 12 matches. vive in the Premier League,” he payments from Chelsea: Report “I wasn’t anticipating hav- said. “We must at all times be a ing to make this announce- difficult opponent and should Ahmed al Meghessib (second from left) of Al Duhail trains with Paris Saint-Germain National 2 Squad in AFP through his tax advisor that ment related to Slavisa and expect to succeed. Paris on Tuesday. PARIS he refused to take any offshore wish the circumstances were “This Fulham squad has payments. such that I didn’t have to, but exceptional talent that is con- TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK FRANCE midfielder N’Golo “N’Golo is inflexible, he our path this season has led trary to its position in the ta- DOHA Kante refused to have part of simply wants a normal sal- me to make what I know is the ble. I know this team is very ca- his Chelsea salary paid under ary,” Kante’s tax advisor said correct decision, at the right pable of better performances.” AHMED Al Meghessib, a Paris advantageous tax terms in in May 2017 in an email sent time,” Fulham chairman Sha- Jokanovic took over Ful- Saint-Germain pro FIFA play- Jersey or to receive offshore to Chelsea executives. hid Khan said. ham in December 2015, er and professional footballer payments for his image rights, “After reading numerous “Making a change without bringing an attacking style of with Qatar’s top club, Al Du- according to a Football Leaks press articles on image rights having the right answer or suc- football with him to Craven hail, has been able to see what investigation published on and tax investigations against cession plan was not an option, Cottage. life is like at the club. Wednesday. players and clubs, N’Golo is so having someone of Clau- Things clicked last season For a week, Ahmed will The report by French in- increasingly concerned that dio’s calibre ready to accept when the Cottagers used a 23- participate in training ses- vestigative site Mediapart says the set-up proposed to him our challenge was comforting game unbeaten run to help sions with the club’s National that six weeks before Kante could be questioned by the tax but, most of all, essential.” them finish third before win- 2 squad, visit the Parc des left Leicester for Chelsea in authorities. Ranieri orchestrated one ning the play-offs. Princes and - as a PSG eSports 2016, a company called NK “N’Golo decided that he of the biggest shocks in foot- It’s been a different story FIFA pro - train at Webedia Promotions was registered in did not want to take any risks.” ball history when 5,000 to 1 this campaign as they’ve con- HQ in the French capital. Jersey, in an apparent attempt Kante has become a fan fa- outsiders Leicester won the ceded a league-worst 31 goals “I’m staying for a week to pay 10 percent of the play- vourite in England since win- league title in 2016. But he to fall to the foot of the table. here in Paris with the reserve ers’ income abroad to avoid ning a memorable Premier couldn’t re-capture the magic “Slavisa will always have team,” he explained. tax. League title with Leicester in and was sacked in February at my appreciation and respect “I hope to enjoy the time Mediapart was unsure 2016, before lifting the trophy the following season with the for everything he did to return and the experience I’ll ac- Ahmed al Meghessib (left) with former PSG player Thiago Motta. whether the company was set again the following season at Foxes just above the relegation Fulham to top-flight football,” quire at PSG. I’ve been very up by Chelsea or Kante’s rela- Chelsea and being named PFA places. Khan said. warmly welcomed by the play- looking forward to a week of Motta, underwent fitness tests tives. Player of the Year. Among numerous other Ranieri’s first game in ers and staff, who made me discovery.” and got to talk to some of the At first, Kante’s lawyer He also started all seven of stops in his managerial career charge will be November 24 feel at home straight away. At the Youth Academy, club’s youth academy talents, suggested his client would France’s matches as his coun- are Napoli, Chelsea, Juventus, when Fulham host Southamp- We have worked well, in the Ahmed met ex-Paris Saint- who shared their Rouge-et- “approve” the set-up, but last try won the World Cup in Rus- Roma, Inter Milan and, last ton. gym and on the pitch. I’m Germain midfielder Thiago Bleu experiences with him. year the 27-year-old insisted sia this year.