Warner and Abbott ruled out of Boxing Day Test against India page 14 THURSday, DECEMBER 24, 2020 Bounedjah strikes late in ‘Clasico’ to ensure Al Sadd’s winning streak

Tribune News Network Doha

Former France coach Lau- rent Blanc’s fears came true as he suffered to a defeat in his first game as coach of Al Rayyan who succumbed to a late goal in the Qatar Clasico clash of the QNB Stars League at the Jassim Bin Hamad Sta- dium on Wednesday. With both sides locked goal- less and the clock ticking away, Algerian Bounedjah Baghdad did the star turn for Xavi Her- nandez’s Wolves scoring in the 83rd minute to fetch Al Sadd’s ninth win in a row in the league and tenth including their Amir Cup triumph last Friday. The win keeps Al Sadd on top of the table with 28 points from ten games while Al Rayyan were sixth with 13 points. Former Al Sadd player and Barcelona legend Xavi thanked his team’s fans for the win. “It was a difficult confrontation and we were better than Al Baghdad Bounedjah is greeted by Spaniard Santi Cazorla and other Rayyan. I thank the team’s fans Al Sadd striker Baghdad Bounedjah looks back after scoring in the 83rd minute against Al Rayyan in the ‘Qatar Clasico’ clash of the QNB Stars teammates after he scored in the ‘Qatar Clasico’ against Al Rayyan for their continuous support,” League at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Wednesday. at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Wednesday. he said post match. “We are in our best mo- ments. We are training well and presenting great levels in the matches. We achieved a deserved victory and moved away in the lead by 7 points from the closest competi- tors, and we must continue to present the best in the next matches,” he added. Goal-scorer Bounedjah said, “Persistence led us to victory over Al Rayyan and the most important three points to stay.” The two teams kicked off the proceedings at a fast pace in marquee clash between the tra- ditional rivals. Al Sadd attackers kept Rayyan defenders busy, but the latter remained strong to thwart the moves through Dame Traori and Gabriel Mer- Al Sadd coach Xavi Hernandez greets his Al Rayyan counterpart and former France coach Laurent Blance cado who, on one occasion, Al Sadd fans celebrate the goal at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Wednesday. soon after the match. stopped Al Sadd’s Akram Afif prowling with the ball on the the box, Akram fired a shot, but deflection from close range nar- half, Abdulaziz Hatem found flicked a short cross to a team- In the 62nd minute, Afif Rayyan goalmouth. Bounedjah edge of the box. Al Rayyan keeper Fahad Younis rowly missed the mark as the Ivorian striker Boli inside the Al mate, but ever-present Mer- received a near-perfect cross jumped high, but his deflection Blanc’s side also attacked blocked the shot with his legs. ball landed on the top of the net. Sadd box, but his deflection flew cado used a backheel to block from Al Haydous, but the star went tad wide of a goalpost. Al Sadd backline though none A minute before the half- In the 36th minute, above the crossbar from close the move. forward’s powerful drive from Seven minutes from time, of those moves could get them hour mark, Bounedjah man- Ahmed Abdelmaqsoud pro- range. Al Rayyan’s Hatim – af- Close to the hour-mark, Al inside the box was blocked by Al Akram slipped in a short cross close to Al Sadd keeper Me- aged to avoid a yellow card with duced a loopy cross from far, ter sneaking into the Al sad box Sadd coach Xavi opted for dou- Rayyan’s agile keeper. for Cazorla who picked out shaal Barsham in the first six a rough tackle on Mercado. but the Al Sadd goalkeeper – fired a bullet but his shot was ble substitution and benched Three minutes later, for- Bounedjah close to the goal. minutes. In the 13th minute, In the 34th minute, defender charged out of the box to head pouched by keeper Barsham. Tabata, and brought in influen- mer Arsenal midfielder Ca- The ever-alert Algerian smart- Akram hared away with the ball Boualem Khoukhi jumped high the ball away despite the pres- Six minutes into the second tial Hassan Al Haydous along zorla clipped in a neat cross ly flicked the ball into the net despite given chase by two Al for a snap-header off a free-kick ence of Yacine Brahimi. half, Al Sadd’s Bounedjah broke with Jung Woo-Young, in place for Bounedjah, stationed per- for the only goal of the mar- Rayyan markers. As he entered by Rodrigo Tabata. Khoukhi’s Towards the close of first into the Al Rayyan box and of Musab Khadir. fectly for a header close to the Al quee clash. Youcef Belaili excels with three penalty kicks for Qatar SC

Tribune News Network matched them once they settled players ended with Mehrdad’s swung and dipped into the far Doha into their stride. weak header going a little way- right of the keeper. Okpotu, Qatar SC’s spear- ward on a cross from Fathy on In the 51st minute, after In what was a case of penalties head with Belaili playing a good the flank. receiving a cross from Osman, galore, and of which Youcef Be- supportive role, took them Four minutes later, Al Arabi Tiberkanine charged ahead laili scored three, Qatar Sports ahead by nodding home Nasir opened the scoring. Ibrahim, with the ball inside the box be- Club registered an absorbing Baksh’s cross from deep in the with nobody marking him, fore calmly slotting it into the Al 4-1 win over Al Ahli in their right. picked up a short cross near Arabi net. Week 10 clash of the QNB Stars He was denied in the 36th the half-line and then charged Then came the spectacular League at the Al Ahli Stadium minute as his goal was ruled ahead solo. Around 5-6 yards goal. Gunnarsson, after receiv- on Wednesday. offside. from the edge of the Al Kharaiti- ing a short pass near the edge The match saw four penal- The Al Ahli attacking duo of yat box, Nasser curled in a spec- of his own box, ran with the ball ties being given (one in Al Ah- El Zhar, Abdulrasheed Umaru tacular right-footed shot that for short distance and then in li’s favour) and while Anthony and captain Omid Ebrahimi swung in late and beat the div- one single move fired the ball Okpotu (10th minute) and could not make much headway. ing keeper. from around 70 yards into the Youcef Belaili (49th, 68th and Al Ahli managed to equalise Al Kharaitiyat’s Moham- net with Al Kharaitiyat keeper 89th-minute penalties) scored through Nabil, who converted med Osman twice attempted way out of position. The long- for Qatar SC, Nabil El Zhar a penalty awarded when Qatar long-range shots (27th and range shot took the goalkeeper converted a penalty kick in the SC defender Mohammed Salem Al Arabi players rejoice after a goal in their 3-1 win against Al 32nd minute) from the edge of by surprise and he could do lit- 42nd minute for Al Ahli’s con- handled Ibrahim Majed’s head- Qatar Sports Club’s Youcef Kharaitiyat at the Al Ahli Stadium on Wednesday. the Al Arabi box, but on both tle to stop the ball from going solation goal. er off a corner kick. Belaili celebrates one of his occasions he was wayward as into the net. Qatar SC, coming off four Changing ends, Qatar SC three goals against Al Ahli in Kharaitiyat a 3-1 defeat at the Al picked up momentum with a The Thunders were not allowed consecutive victories, were in were more assertive and they their 4-1 win in the QNB Stars Ahli Stadium. threatening move that lacked much breathing space by Al Results no mood for a let-up and went regained the lead through Belai- League match at the Al Ahli Ibrahim Nasser Kalla (16th finishing touch in the third min- Arabi backline. Qatar SC 4 (Anthony Okpotu full steam ahead. The Kings li, who converted from the spot. Stadium on Wednesday. minute), Mehrdad Mohamma- ute. Al Arabi captain Ahmed In the second half, three 10’, Youcef Belaili 48’ (P), 68’ went on to complete their fifth The penalty was awarded when di (47th minute) and Aron Gun- Fathy covered plenty of ground quick goals were scored. (P), 89’ (P)) bt Al Ahli 1 (Nabil straight win and took their tally Mohamed Diame fouled Belaili. time. Belaili was yet again bang narsson (55th minute) scored on the right flank before slip- Mehrdad, after receiving a El Zhar 42’ (P)) to 18 points following their sixth The Algerian made it 3-1, on target from the spot. The of- Al Arabi’s goals. ping in a cross for Iranian team- short pass, charged into the Al Al Arabi 3 (Ibrahim Nasser Kala victory overall. Al Ahli remained again converting a penalty. fence was Omid’s foul on Omar Rachid Tiberkanine scored mate Mehrdad, who jumped for Karaitiyat box with Mahmoud 16’, Mehrdad Mohammadi 46’, on 19 points. This time, it was awarded after Al Emadi. the only goal of Al Kharaitiyat in a snap-header from close range, Abdelhalim giving a hot chase, Aron Gunnarsson 55’) Al Ahli, who were in the goalkeeper Ivanildo Rodrigues the 50th minute. but his deflection was grabbed but the former stopped the bt Al Kharaitiyat 1 (Rachid lead position early in the tour- brought down Okpotu. Al Arabi 3 Al Kharaitiyat 1 Al Arabi have nine points by keeper Shehab Ellethy. ball and then in the same mo- Tiberkanine 50’) nament, initially played second The last goal came with one In the third clash of the and Al Kharaitiyat six. In the 12th minute, a simi- mentum produced a left-foot- Al Sadd 1 (Baghdad Bounedjah fiddle to their rivals, but they minute remaining in regular evening, Al Arabi handed Al After a slow start, Al Arabi lar move involving the same ed clip into the goal. The ball 83’) bt Al Rayyan 0. Sports Thursday, December 24, 2020 13 Three Qatar 2022 venues to host FIFA Club World Cup 2020 matches

Hosting the second edition of the FIFA Club World Cup in a row will allow us to build on our operational experience and apply Six continental confederations, as well as the host nation’s league champions (Al Duhail), will compete in the tournament, which will be held across three FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 venues – Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium learnings both from 2019, (centre), Khalifa International Stadium (left) and Education City Stadium, nicknamed ‘Diamond in the desert’. as well as the tournaments host nation’s league champi- Joining the two teams South American title winner World Cup in just under two Khater added. facade features triangles that attended by fans in Qatar ons, will compete in the tour- will be European champions will be determined by the end years’ time,” said Nasser Al Inaugurated exactly two form complex, diamond-like throughout 2020. nament, which will be held and German side FC Bayern of January 2021. The draw to Khater, Chief Executive Of- years before Qatar hosts the geometrical patterns which across three FIFA World Cup München, CONCACAF cham- finalise the detailed pairings in ficer, FIFA World Cup Qatar FIFA World Cup final, Ahmad appear to change colour de- Nasser Al Khater, Chief Qatar 2022 stadiums – Ah- pions Tigres UANL from Mex- the tournament will take place 2022 LLC. Bin Ali Stadium has a capacity pending on the sun’s position. Executive Officer, FIFA World mad Bin Ali, Khalifa Interna- ico, Al Ahly SC, Egyptian side in Zurich on 19 January. “Over the past few months, of 40,000 seats and is a dem- The third stadium to be Cup Qatar 2022 LLC. tional and Education City. and winners of the CAF Cham- “Hosting the second edi- during the global pandemic, onstration of Qatar’s commit- used during the FIFA Club The Ahmad Bin Ali Stadi- pions League along with Ulsan tion of the FIFA Club World we have worked diligently to ment to sustainability, having World Cup Qatar 2020™ Tribune News Network um, inaugurated just last week Hyundai, who recently laid Cup in a row will allow us to ensure the safety, health and been largely constructed from will be Khalifa International Doha on 18 December, will stage the claim to the AFC Champions build on our operational ex- wellbeing of players and fans recycled and reused material Stadium. Widely regarded as opening match between Qa- League at a match played in perience and apply learnings as we hosted several impor- from an older stadium that Qatar’s national stadium, the Qatar will host the FIFA tari champions Al Duhail and FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 both from 2019, as well as the tant local and international once stood on the same site. recently refurbished venue Club World Cup Qatar 2020 Auckland City of New Zealand venue Al Janoub Stadium. tournaments attended by fans footballing events, and we Education City Stadium, hosted the previous tourna- from 1 to 11 February 2021, on 1 February at 20:30 lo- The winner of the CON- in Qatar throughout 2020. It look forward to welcoming nicknamed the ‘Diamond in ment’s final where English after it was postponed earlier cal time and the final will be MEBOL Libertadores will de- will help ensure we deliver an the world’s best clubs in the the Desert’, has its design in- side Liverpool FC won the ti- this year due to the COVID-19 played at Education City Sta- termine the South American amazing experience for every New Year for what will be yet spired by the rich history of tle for the first time in front pandemic. Six continental dium on 11 February at 21:00 representative, rounding off fan when the Middle East and another important milestone Islamic architecture, blended of an audience of more than confederations, as well as the local time. this edition’s participants. The Arab world hosts its first FIFA on the road to Qatar 2022,” Al with striking modernity. The 45,000 fans. Qatar 2022 qualifying: The state of play he qualifying campaign for clear favourites in Group A, continental playoff. August. Based on the FIFA/Co- the FIFA World Cup Qatar while a big name is guaranteed ca-Cola World Ranking for July T2022™ was hit by a number to miss out on the finals after South America 2020, CONCACAF’s 30 lowest- of organisational challenges in Cameroon and Côte d’Ivoire After four games, it is hard placed sides were split across 2020. But with the action now were both drawn in Group D. to draw any firm conclusions six different groups. under way in South America, It is a similar story in Group – and yet some obvious trends The six group winners will and draws held by UEFA, CAF G, where at least one of Ghana have already emerged. Top of face off in three predetermined and CONCACAF, the path to or South Africa are destined the list is Brazil’s dominant start home-and-away ties – and the the global finals has started to to watch the global showcase thanks to four wins from four victors in those jousts will then take shape in every confedera- from afar. As for Senegal and outings, their defence having contest the third round along tion. FIFA.com takes a look at their star forward Sadio Mane, conceded just twice while they with the five highest-placed the state of play in each of the the 2019 African Footballer have struck 12 goals at the other CONCACAF teams in the same regions. of the Year will be looking to end. And this despite coach Tite FIFA Ranking (Costa Rica, make his talent count against needing to cope with injuries USA, Honduras, Jamaica and Africa Congo, Namibia and former to Neymar, Gabriel Jesus and Mexico). Those eight sides will The year kicked off with World Cup participants Togo. Coutinho. A Seleçao are now play against each other home the draw for the second round unbeaten in their last 21 World and away in a round-robin for- of qualifiers, which featured Asia Cup qualifiers and look set to mat and the top three nations the 14 winners from round one The second round of extend their record of having will qualify for Qatar 2022, and Africa’s 26 highest-placed qualifiers has already passed appeared in all 21 editions of the while the fourth-placed team teams on the FIFA/Coca-Cola the halfway stage among the final tournament. will dispute an intercontinen- World Ranking. 40 teams divided into eight Argentina are not far be- tal play-off. Those initial victors in- groups. So far, continental hind after posting three wins cluded Guinea-Bissau, who heavyweights Australia and Ja- and a draw, and have also Europe made history by finally pass- pan have shocked few by claim- shipped just two goals, put- The qualifiers have likewise ing the first obstacle in their ing a perfect record from their ting them level with Brazil as not started in Europe, where a home-and-away contest with four games, but Syria have the continent’s toughest side draw on 7 December laid out Sao Tome and Principe. As for fared even better courtesy of to breach. Their campaign so the road ahead. Djibouti, they sealed only their five wins in five matches. far has likewise underlined the The ten group winners will A portrait of Late Diego Maradona on display during the opening of the Art Project ‘Like the Gods’, second-ever spot in round two Familiar faces at World talent of Lautaro Martinez up qualify automatically for Qa- presented by the Museum of the Russian Academy of Arts and Italian artist Fabrizio Birimbelli during by seeing off Eswatini – and Cup finals, Saudi Arabia and front, which could help coach tar 2022 and the ten runners- the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 in Saint Petersburg. (AFP) avoiding an away defeat for the Korea Republic have found the Lionel Scaloni ease any de- up will enter the play-offs, first time in a World Cup quali- going more difficult, though pendence on Lionel Messi. which will also include the two fier at the seventh attempt. both remain well placed. The Third place in the table be- best group winners from the Maradona’s heart was twice Elsewhere, Emilio Nsue made Green Falcons now lie a point longs to Ecuador, meanwhile, 2020/21 UEFA Nations League headlines with the decisive behind Uzbekistan but boast a the surprise dark horses having who have not already quali- goal for Equatorial Guinea, game in hand, while the Tae- recovered from a 1-0 loss away fied for the finals or play-offs. while Gerald Phiri struck a cru- geuk Warriors will need to roll to Argentina in Gustavo Alfaro’s Those 12 teams will be divided the normal weight: report cial late penalty for Malawi and up their sleeves to keep pace first game in charge. Since then, into three qualifying paths, with 18-year-old Ashley Williams with surprise Group H leaders he has transformed La Tri into a knockout ties determining the AFP heart surgeon Leopoldo Luque are under saved a spot-kick in added Turkmenistan. The situation goalscoring machine, producing three remaining European sides Buenos Aires investigation as they were treating Mara- time for Liberia, helping them appears trickier for IR Iran, who a 4-2 win against Uruguay, a 6-1 to reach the World Cup. dona before his death. squeeze through with a 1-0 de- find themselves as low as third defeat of Colombia and a first Argentina football legend Diego Mara- A first autopsy conducted the day Mara- feat in Sierra Leone following in Group C and have practically victory in Bolivia since 2009. Oceania dona was suffering from liver, kidney and dona died found he had suffered from liquid their 3-1 triumph at home. no room left for error. Ecuador will resist getting car- There have also been no cardiovascular disorders but there were no on the lungs with acute heart failure brought The 40 remaining contend- The eight group winners ried away, however, having won qualifying matches between the signs of alcohol or narcotics consumption on by a disease of the heart muscles that ers have now been divided into and four best runners-up will their first four matches on the OFC’s 11 member associations: in his autopsy, the public prosecutor said on makes it harder to pump blood. ten groups. The ten group win- advance to the third round, road to Russia 2018 before ulti- American Samoa, Cook Is- Wednesday. Maradona’s heart was twice the normal ners will progress to the third where they will be drawn into mately falling short. lands, Fiji, New Caledonia, New World Cup winning captain from Mexico weight. round, where they will be paired two groups of six teams. The top Zealand, Papua New Guinea, ‘86, Maradona died of a heart-attack on No- (besoccer.com said: It’s a mystery the fact together in five home-and-away two in each section will secure North, Central America and Samoa, Solomon Islands, Ta- vember 25 at the age of 60. why Maradona’s heart weighed twice as much ties. The winners of those five tickets to Qatar 2022, while the the Caribbean hiti, Tonga and Vanuatu. The The public prosecutor in San Isidro, a as a normal (500gm) one. In fact, his former ties will qualify for Qatar 2022. two third-placed sides will meet Although the qualifiers are region’s top side after the quali- northern suburb of the capital Buenos Aires, doctor ended up saying that he had “some Reigning African cham- in a play-off to determine who yet to begin in earnest, the draw fiers will contest an interconti- published the results of Maradona’s autopsy damage”, but that it “wasn’t alarming”.) pions Algeria look to be the will represent Asia in an inter- for the first round took place in nental play-off. (Fifa.com) late on Tuesday night. Maradona had undergone an operation It was ordered as part of an investiga- for a bleed on the brain on November 3, just • Brazil, Argentina and tion into his death to see if there was any five days after his 60th birthday where he negligence or recklessness in the health briefly attended a party in his honour at the Ecuador have made care he was provided. club he was coaching, Gimnasia y Esgrima, impressive starts in South At the end of his life he was suffering from although he appeared to be in poor health. a variety of illnesses including cirrhosis, heart Maradona was widely regarded as one of America disease and kidney failure. the greatest footballers of all time. The toxicology analysis showed there was He is a legend in his homeland having • Syria are flying in Asia as no alcohol or narcotics in his blood or urine been instrumental in guiding them to World several heavyweights but Maradona was taking anti-depressants, Cup glory in 1986 and then again to the final struggle an anti-psychotic drug and various other in Italy four years later. medication to treat ulcers, convulsions, de- He is also an icon in Naples were as a • Cameroon and Côte pendencies and difficulties in expelling waste. player he helped Napoli win the only two Se- Maradona had battled cocaine and alco- rie A titles in their history. d’Ivoire are in Africa’s hol addictions during his life. He had much less success as a coach, group of death “What’s come out of the laboratory anal- taking Argentina to the World Cup quar- ysis is as important as what hasn’t, which ter-finals in South Africa in 2010 before simply confirms that Maradona was given embarking on a nomadic journey that took psychotropic drugs but no medicine for him to the UAE and Mexico. heart disease,” one of the investigators told He was the coach of Argentine the Telam press agency. Primera Division side Gimnasia at the Brazil star Neymar. Psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov and time of his death. 14 Thursday, December 24, 2020 Sports

Qatar Sports Club spikers rally to beat Al Rayyan; Police SC thump Al Wakrah

In exciting action of Qatar Volleyball Association’s Senior League played at the QVA Indoor Hall on Wednesday, Qatar Sports Club rallied superbly to beat Al Rayyan 3-1 (20-25, 25-19, 25-23, 25-23) while the formidable Police SC thumped Al Wakrah Police won 3-0 (25-12, 25-19, 25-19). In action (left) Qatar SC’s Grozdanov Branimir scores against Al Rayyan; On right: A Police spiker makes a successful strike against Al Wakrah in the second match of the day. (TNN) Warner, Abbott ruled out of Boxing Day India Test

AFP third Test against India, which the whole squad,” he said. Sydney is due to begin in Sydney on “It was one of those days January 7. where nothing goes right for Star Australian batsman them and everything goes David Warner will miss the Lyon expects India right for us -- we’ve all had Boxing Day Test against India fightback them, it’s part of the game. after failing to shake off the Australian off-spinner “But no doubt they’re Japan’s badminton world number one Kento Momota competes in the 1st groin injury that kept him out Nathan Lyon expects India to training the house down now. round of All-Japan National Championships in Tokyo on Wednesday. (AFP) of the opening fixture, Cricket “come out firing” after posting We’re expecting them to come Australia said on Wednesday. their lowest-ever score in the out firing and not have any The governing body said opening Test, predicting the scars from the other day.” World badminton No. 1 Warner and paceman Sean visiting batsmen will attack his Lyon was confident India Abbott had also been excluded bowling in Melbourne. would remain competitive from the Australian team’s Lyon said the paltry 36 without skipper Virat Kohli, Momota back from car bio-secure bubble in Mel- runs India scored in the sec- who returned home after the bourne as a precaution due to ond innings in Adelaide last opening Test for the birth of a COVID-19 outbreak in their This file photo taken on November 29, 2020 shows Australia’s David Saturday was no reflection on his first child. crash with a win hometown Sydney. Warner reacting after he suffered an injury during the ODI against the quality of the touring side, “I think there are enough “While neither player has India at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) in Sydney. (AFP) recalling that he was part of an guys in the Indian squad who AFP shots from his opponent in an been in a specific hotspot Australian team bowled out can fill Virat’s shoes,” he said. TOKYO error-strewn opening game. as outlined by NSW Health, ID-19 outbreak. bling to contain a virus cluster for 47 in South Africa in 2011. The veteran spinner, who The 26-year-old settled Cricket Australia’s bio-securi- But the team’s Covid-19 that emerged in Sydney’s north- Australia bounced back has taken 391 Test wickets, Japan’s badminton world into his rhythm more in the ty protocols do not allow them protocols prevented them from ern beaches after a long period from that humiliation to win said India was likely to target number one Kento Momota second game, and closed the to rejoin the squad in time for joining the squad in time for the of no community transmission their next Test against the Pro- slow bowling in Melbourne. shrugged off nerves to make a match out with a resounding the Boxing Day Test,” it said. Test, and Cricket Australia said in Australia’s largest city. teas and Lyon said India would “It think it’ll be one of the winning return to competition smash to book his place in the The second Test against Warner would not have recov- The cluster currently stands be looking for a similar re- tactics to come after me, which in Tokyo on Wednesday, near- next round. India starts at the Melbourne ered from in time anyway. at just under 100, and the state sponse in the second Test that is totally fine,I ’m pretty used ly a year after suffering serious “I missed a lot of shots be- Cricket Ground on December Warner limped out of Aus- government announced a sec- begins at the Melbourne Crick- to it,” he said. injuries in a car crash. cause of nerves,” he acknowl- 26 and the teams have been tralia’s second One-day inter- ond day of single-digit growth et Ground on Boxing Day. “For me it’s all fun and part Momota beat Koshiro Mo- edged. “My movement and training in bio-secure bubbles. national against the tourists in cases Wednesday and eased “I don’t think it will be of playing Test cricket. Being riguchi 21-12, 21-14 in the first feeling for the shuttle weren’t Warner and Abbott flew to last month in agony after suf- lockdown restrictions for that difficult when you look at a spin bowler, you’re always round of the All-Japan cham- bad, but I want to cut down on Melbourne on Saturday hop- fering the injury. Christmas. the quality of the Indian side, going to have guys trying to pionships, marking his return the mistakes in my next match. ing to avoid quarantine issues Authorities in New South It remains unclear wheth- they’ve got some absolutely attack you, it’s all a great chal- from the accident that left him “I managed to speed up the arising from the Sydney COV- Wales state have been scram- er the outbreak will affect the world-class players through lenge to be honest.” fearing his career might be over play and land a few smashes, after fracturing an eye socket. but there were a lot of times Momota will be hoping his where I was too slow with my comeback leads him all the returns. I need to think more England cricketers way to Olympic gold at next about how I react to each shot Al Gharafa, Al Arabi hoopsters post wins exempt from UK year’s coronavirus-postponed and mix things up a little.” travel ban: Sri Lanka Tokyo Games, but the left- Momota is aiming to win a hander was happy just to be third straight national title this Colombo: The England team back on the court after dis- week in Tokyo, before heading will be allowed to fly to SriL anka patching his opponent in 36 to Thailand in January for the despite flights from Britain being minutes on Wednesday. resumption of the badminton suspended because of a new “I had that particular world tour. coronavirus strain, the island’s feeling that you get before a He is hoping to recapture cricket authorities said on match, the kind where you the form that saw him win a Wednesday. England are due to just can’t sit still, and it’s been record-breaking 11 titles last arrive in Sri Lanka on January a while since I felt that,” said year, and believes he will be- 3 for two Tests -- played without Momota, who was badly hurt gin to hit his stride now that spectators -- in Galle starting on when the vehicle taking him he has cleared the first hurdle. January 14. Sri Lanka Cricket to the airport in January after “I was nervous because it chief executive Ashley de Silva he won the Malaysia Masters was the first match of the All- told AFP the visitors would be crashed, killing the driver. Japan championships, and it tested for coronavirus before de- “I went out onto the court was also my first match in a parture and on arrival, and would and it really felt like I was long time,” said Momota. also have to undergo quarantine back. I enjoyed it.” “There were a lot of things for 10-days in a “bio-secure bub- Momota began the match that made me feel uncom- ble”. The team would travel to with little fuss as he won the fortable, but despite all that I Action from the Al Gharafa-Al Sadd match (left) of the Qatar Basketball Men’s League played on Wednesday which was won by Al Gharafa Sri Lanka on a chartered flight, first five points, but then went was able to relax and play my 65-57. In the second clash of the evening, Al Arabi (right) prevailed over Qatar SC with an exciting 70-63 win. (TNN) he said. (AFP) on to misjudge several baseline game. I’m happy with that.” Tokyo 2020 to have ‘simpler, restrained’ Olympic ceremonies

AFP spectacular ceremonies to be mer and leukaemia survi- travagant ceremonies are con- Tokyo “in tune with the situation.” vor Rikako Ikee appear in a sidered as too much and we “The ceremonies will still darkened and empty stadium must think of this time as an Organisers of the corona- be a great celebration to be clutching the Olympic flame opportunity to change due to virus-postponed Tokyo 2020 enjoyed by the athletes and in a lantern, which organisers Covid-19, or rather thanks to Olympics said on Wednesday watching world but will likely said was reflective of the prin- COVID-19,” he said. they have picked a new creative take a simpler and more re- ciples that would guide the re- He conceded that he has director to redesign “simpler strained approach designed to designed ceremonies. not made much progress yet and more restrained” opening reflectthe overall simplification “It is appropriate to make on the direction of the new and closing ceremonies for next of the Games and the potential ceremonial events and pro- ceremonies, but said they year’s Games. need to still consider COVID-19 grammes simpler and have would emphasise the theme The mammoth task will fall counter measures,” organisers them in some way reflect and of the Games serving as the to advertising executive Hiro- said in a statement. respect the world’s experience “light at the end of the tunnel” shi Sasaki, who helped produce Sasaki replaces a team led of the Covid-19 pandemic,” after the pandemic. the ceremony handing over the by Mansai Nomura, a master they said. Organisers are pressing Games from Rio to Tokyo -- fa- of traditional Kyogen comic Speaking to reporters, Sa- ahead with preparations for the mously featuring then-Prime theatre who had pledged to saki said he still remembered postponed Games, announcing Minister Shinzo Abe as a char- produce ceremonies “rich in watching as a child the opening a new budget, test event sched- acter from the Super Mario Japanese spirit.” ceremony for the 1964 Olym- ule and coronavirus counter- video game. Sasaki designed the pics, the first time Tokyo hosted measures in recent weeks. Organisers said the deci- stripped-back event organis- the Summer Games, and had But public opinion in Japan sion to replace a previous sev- ers held in July to mark the enjoyed the traditionally lavish remains opposed to holding the en-person creative team would new year-to-go until the post- events opening and closing the event next year, with a major- improve efficiency as reshape poned Games. Tokyo 2020 President Yoshiro Mori (L) speaks during the opening remarks session of the Tokyo 2020 sporting event. ity favouring a further delay or the traditionally lavish and That saw Japanese swim- Olympics executive board meeting in Tokyo on Tuesday. (AFP) “But now these flashy ex- outright cancellation.