QSC Beat Al Gharafa to Top Group; Brahmi Slams in Five for Al Khor Second Half

Shami stars in Inda’s crushing win over Bangladesh page 14

SUND ay, NOVEMBER 17, 2019

Fnsa flock Souq Waqif for FIFA Club World Cup Trophy display

Numerous fans, with friends family flocked the iconic Souq Waqif on Friday evening to catch a glimpse of the FIFA Club World Cup trophy. The trophy display marked the beginning of four weeks of activities involving the FIFA Club World Cup Winner’s Trophy, during which it will appear at various landmarks across the country, including Aspire Park, numerous malls, hotels and at Embassies. The FIFA Club World Cup 2019 presented by Alibaba Cloud in Qatar will kick off on December 11 and conclude on December 21. Five teams have qualified to-date: Al Sadd SC (host country representative), Liverpool FC (UEFA), CF Monterrey (CONCACAF), ES Tunis (CAF) and Hienghène Sport (OFC). The CONMEBOL and AFC representatives will be confirmed on November 23 and 24th respectively. QSC beat Al Gharafa to top group; Brahmi slams in five for Al Khor second half. The striker scored his third four minutes later before fur- Qatar’s Afif ther strikes on 61 and 84th shortlisted for minute wrapped up a valuable win which moves Al Khor to AFC Player of second in the group. Al Arabi ended a five- the Year award match winless run in all competitions to beat Al Sailiya 2-1. Qatar forward Akram Afif Hamdi Harbaoui’s first has been named in a three- half double was enough for the man shortlist for the Asian Dream Team despite Hassan Football Confederation’s al Maiahi’s strike for Al Sailiya. (AFC) men’s player of the year Al Arabi are now third in award after helping the side the group ahead of Al Gharafa, win their maiden Asian Cup Tribune News Network Al Duhail and Al Sailiya. title this year. Doha In Group A on Friday, Al The 22-year-old Villarreal Rayyan thumped Al Ahli 4-1 player is on loan at Al Sadd Kayke Rodriguez struck a to maintain their lead, while and was instrumental in brilliant hat-trick as Qatar SC Al Sadd beat Al Shahania 3-1 helping the Qatari club reach cruised past Al Gharafa 3-0 as Al Wakrah and Umm Salal the AFC Champions League in Round 2 (Group B) of the Said Brahmi applauds one of his five goals for Al Khor against played out a goalless draw. semi-finals this season. 2019-20 Ooredoo Cup at the Al Duhail during their Ooredoo Cup match on Saturday. Iran goalkeeper Alireza Al Ahli Stadium on Saturday. Beiranvand and Japan de- Kayke scored in the sixth, fender Tomoaki Makino were 38th and 94th minutes. the other nominations in the The win took Qatar SC on men’s category for the annual to six points with their second awards, which will be given victory, having defeated Al out in Hong Kong on Dec 2. Sailiya 4-0 in the first round. “Afif is arguablyA sia’s Al Gharafa now have two brightest prospect and he points as they had drawn 2-2 burst onto the scene at the with Al Duhail earlier. AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 Qatar SC dominated two- Qatar Sports Club’s Kayke Rodriguez, who scored a hat-trick, where he produced 10 as- time reigning champions Al celebrates with teammates after scoring one of the goals against sists - the most in the tourna- Gharafa and Brazilian forward Al Gharafa during their Ooredoo Cup match on Saturday. ment’s history,” the AFC said Rodriguez was in fine form. in a statement. He scored two goals in the first Kayke first found the tar- while Ahmed al Mohanadi Meanwhile, China’s Li half and completed his hat- get off a cross from Hamad bagged a brace as Al Khor Ying, who was part of the trick in style as the game was Mansour. thumped Al Duhail 7-0 at the team in the FIFA Women’s drawing to a close. His second came after he Al Khor Stadium. World Cup France 2019, Qatar SC goalkeeper Mot- was set up by Elmehdi Bar- The 24-year-old striker Indian stalwart Loitongbam asem Majed was in outstand- rahma. opened the scoring in the Ashalata Devi and Japan’s ing form, effecting at least two Kayke rounded off his and 11th minute before Mohanadi captain Saki Kumagai are smart saves, as Al Gharafa, the team’s tally off a counter- found the net twice. It was all the frontrunners for the AFC who missed many players due attack. Brahmi in the second half as Player of the Year – Women’s to national duty, struggled to Also in Group B, Said the 2014 AFC U-19 winner category. (TNN) find a breakthrough. Brahmi scored five goals, scored five minutes into the Al Khor players celebrate scoring against Al Duhail during their Ooredoo Cup match on Saturday. Sports Sunday, November 17, 2019 13

2019-20 PSA Men’s World Championship QTSBF Tarek terms Doha triumph a Secy-Gen Zainal hails tournament’s childhood dream come true success Tribune News Network it my all for a few more years is QNA Doha just unbelievable. Doha “I want to congratulate Egypt’s World No.3 Tarek It had been a childhood dream Paul on such an event and an Tariq Zainal, Secretary-Gen- Momen put in a sublime dis- of mine to become the world champion at amazing achievement. He’s eral of Qatar Tennis, Squash play as he overcame New some point. I am 31 now, and I was done so well making it this far. and Badminton Federation Zealand’s Paul Coll by a 3-0 He had the better of our last fi- (QTSBF), and Director of the margin on Friday evening wondering whether I would have the nals appearances, I’m just glad PSA Men’s World Champion- to be crowned the 2019-20 opportunity to do it, so to be able to do it at I managed to get this one. ship (Doha 2019), expressed PSA Men’s World Champion this age and to still feel that I can give it my “It was such a strong match, his happiness over the great – meaning Momen and wife Towards the end, I could see he success of the tournament, Raneem El Welily have be- all for a few more years is just unbelievable. was struggling a bit, but he kept which was hosted by QTSBF come the first married couple – Tarek Momen pushing. I only realised this for the fifth time in its history. in squash history to become morning we were the only mar- “We congratulate Tarek World Champions. ried couple to become World Momen and all the Arabs for It took Tarek 39 minutes Champions. We are privileged winning the title, and we are to win the final 11-8, 11-3, 11-4. to have achieved something, proud that the champion of this Momen was appearing in and I’m so happy we did it.” edition is an Arab player,” Zain- back-to-back World Champi- Coll said: “It was tough al said after the tournament. onship finals after falling to from the word go, Tarek was Zainal said that the organ- World No.1 Ali Farag in Chi- firing and made me do a lot of izing committee made great cago eight months ago and had work at all stages of the game. efforts that ultimately led to finished as runner-up in all It was taking its toll because of this remarkable success in three of the major finals earlier. his accuracy. terms of the number of top- But a masterclass of at- “I’m very proud of my week, seeded players participat- tacking squash saw him draw a bit disappointed by tonight but ing and the spectators, who World No.5 Coll into the front all credit to Tarek who delivered watched the competitions of the court time and time on the big stage tonight. I’m so and also the outstanding me- again to power into a two- grateful from all the support dia coverage, while thanking game lead to put him on the I got from back home, people fans for attending the week- verge of matching El Welily, waking up at early hours in the long event. who won the women’s World Qatar Tennis, Squash and Badminton Federation (QTSBF) President, Nasser al Khelaifi and QTSBF Secretary-General Tariq Zainal applaud as morning. I want to thank them.” For his part, Executive Championship in 2017. Tarek Momen lifts the Professional Squash Association (PSA) men’s World Championship trophy at the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Momen – who took home Director of the Qatar Tennis, Coll, who was the first Complex on Friday. over $45,000 in winnings – Squash and Badminton Fed- male Kiwi since Ross Norman becomes the 18th man to get eration Saad al Mohannadi in 1986 to appear in a final, El Welily fell to World No.4 and trying, I came up this close his hands on the iconic trophy, commended the tournament, returned to court in the third Nour El Sherbini in the final of Tarek Momen but then it didn’t happen for while he is the fourth Egyp- saying in a similar statement game with strapping on his the women’s World Champi- and wife me. I haven’t won a Platinum tian in a row to win the men’s that the World Squash Cham- right quad as a brutal week – onship, held in front of Cairo’s Raneem El event and the first major I ever World Championship. pionship was great in all as- which saw him spend almost Great Pyramid of Giza. win gets to be the World Cham- He also qualifies for the pects, expressing pride that an hour more on court than “If I tell you how many Welily have pionship, it’s unbelievable. season-ending PSA World the title was won by an Arab Momen throughout the tourna- times I imagined making become the first “It has been a childhood Tour Finals which will take player, while praising the per- ment – looked to take its toll. this speech my whole life, it’s married couple dream of mine to become place in June and pits togeth- formance of Tarek Momen. There was no stopping countless, and now I just don’t in squash the world champion at some er the reigning World Cham- Al Mohannadi expressed Momen in the third game as know what to say, it’s so hard history to point. I am 31 now, and I was pions and PSA Platinum title his pride at the great success he closed out the win by an 11- to digest,” said Momen after wondering whether I would winners, with the remaining of the championship and said 8, 11-3, 11-4 scoreline to lift the winning his 7th PSA Tour title. become World have the opportunity to do it, spots going to the highest- that Doha 2019 in general was biggest prize in men’s squash “I just worked so hard for Champions. so to be able to do it at this age placed players on the Road to distinguished at organization- just two weeks to the day since this. For years, I’ve been trying and to still feel that I can give Egypt Standings. al and technical levels.

Al SHAQAB ARABIAN HORSE SHOW

Qatar’s Rashed Nawaf with Qatar Tennis, Squash and Badminton Federation (QTSBF) Secretary-General Tariq Zainal and other trophy winners at the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex. Nawaf wins Qatar Asian Jr A winning horse and its team members pose for a photograph with Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) General Manager Nasser bin Sherida al Kaabi and other officials during the Al Shaqab Arabian Horse Show for Individual Owners at the Al Shaqab Indoor Arena on Saturday. title, doubles with Nayef

QNA Nawaf and Nayef won the title for the federation as it will Doha after beating Chinese duo of encourage it to move stead- Yi Hsuan Chen and Yang Lin ily towards the completion of Qatari player Rashed Nawaf 6-0, 6-1. implementation of its plans won the Qatar Asian Junior Executive Director of the aimed at developing national (U-14) Championship organ- Qatar Tennis, Squash and teams in all categories and up- ized by the Qatar Tennis, Badminton Federation Saad grading their level in order to Squash and Badminton Feder- al Mohannadi, in a statement take them to professionalism, ation (QTSBF) in cooperation after crowning champions, adding that hosting the Asian with Asian Tennis Federation praised the advanced level Junior Championship is part (ATF) at the Khalifa Inter- shown by the players of the of the Federation’s strategy of national Tennis and Squash Qatari team and congratulated organizing a series of regional, Complex with participation of them on reaching the final and international and local open 60 players. wining the doubles title. tournaments. It is aimed at In the final, Nawaf secured This new Qatari achieve- providing the required com- a 6-1, 6-0 victory over his com- ment, he said, is an important petition to improve perfor- Trophy winners along with an official at the Al Shaqab Arabian Horse Show for Individual Owners at the Al Shaqab Indoor Arena on Saturday. patriot Meshari Nayef. incentive not only for the rest mances and rankings of the In doubles event, Qatar’s of the Qatari players but also players of the national team. Tanveer, Assad, Kiramat excel for Galfar, Warriors CC, Shah XI in QCA T20 Tribune News Network ball knock, Tanveer cracked In a Premier Division and Assad 29. Shoaib 2-36) by 47 runs. Doha four fours and also four sixes match of the same tourna- In reply, Fireox Unit were Galfar CC 198-3 (Kamran 77, in his 40-balls innings as Gal- ment, Assad excelled for War- restricted to 141 for 8. Tanveer not out 73) beat Doha Whirlwind batting dis- far made 198 for 3 in their al- riors Cricket Club against Fir- In the other Div A match, Falcon 86 all out in 16.4 plays from Kamran (77) and lotted 20 overs. eox Unit XI scoring a quickfire Kiramat’s all-round show (29 overs (Iftikhar 27; Imran 4-10, Tanveer (73 not out) propelled In reply, Doha Falcon 29 (4x4s, 1x6), taking two runs, 2 wkts, and a catch) saw Yousuf 2-20, Mujeeb 2-19) by Galfar Cricket Club to a 112- found the going tough and wickets besides picking up a Shah XI (163-9) beat Qatar 112 runs. run win over Doha Falcon in were eventually bowled out for catch to star as the player of Super Kings (93 all out) win Shah XI 163-9 (Alam 29, Sal- the Qatar Cricket Association’s 86 runs in 16.4 overs. the match. by 70 runs. eem 27, Saeed 24, Kiramat 22) Division A Twenty20 tourna- Tanveer, who also excelled Warriors batting firstScore s: Warriors CC 188-3 bt Qatar Super Kings 93 all out ment match played on Friday. in the field taking one catch made 188 for 3 with Imal scor- (Imal 51, Imraz 42 n.o., Assad in 14.1 overs (Tony 20; Kiramat While Kamran struck five was named as the Man of ing a half century 51 (5x4s), 29 not out) beat Fireox Unit 4-22, Saleem 3-6, Jabar 2-15) fours and four sixes in his 57- the Match. MoM of their respective teams Tanveer (left), Assad (centre), and Kiramat. Imran 42 not out (6x4s, 1x6), 141-8 (Jassim 60; Assad 2-0, by 70 runs. 14 Sunday, November 17, 2019 Sports

Qatar to begin Gulf Cup campaign Tsitsipas stuns Federer against Iraq at Khalifa Stadium to reach London final 6th-seeded Greek beats the Swiss maestro in straight sets

AFP an easy time to Roger. He was knew he had to break Tsitsi- London playing well.” pas for only the second time Coming into the match, the in the match. Stefanos Tsitsipas shocked Greek 21-year-old led the tour- The Greek slipped to 15-40 six-time champion Roger nament in service games won, down but Federer again could Federer 6-3, 6-4 to reach the with 35 out of 37. not take advantage, spraying a final of the ATP Finals in his Tsitsipas conceded a break forehand out to give his oppo- tournament debut on Saturday. point in his first game as cries nent a match point and he won The Greek sixth seed, 17 of “Let’s go Roger, let’s go” rang with a thundering ace. years younger than his 38-year- around London’s O2 Arena but Federer, who was shaken by old opponent, beat the Swiss at he survived the scare and broke his two fluffed smashes, rued the Australian Open but had Federer in the next game, tak- his missed chances. fallen to him twice since then. ing advantage of two missed “I’m frustrated I couldn’t Federer was unrecognis- overheads from the Swiss. play better, and when I did and able from the player who Thereafter it was a case fought my way back, I threw it dominated Novak Djokovic in of what might have been for away again,” said the Swiss. his final round-robin match, Federer, who dropped just six “It was also parts of him. struggling on serve and hit- points on his serve in the first He did come up with the goods ting a total of 26 unforced er- set and saw a whopping six when he had to and he was bet- rors compared with just five break points come and go. ter than me today. against the Serbian. Tsitsipas was forced “It’s the year-end. It’s over But Tsitsipas belied his to dig deep in a dramatic now and I can’t make it better. years with a performance full 13-minute final game in I tried everything I could, to of confidence and grit, saving which he saved two break be honest.” 11 out of 12 break points during points and needed seven set A year ago, Tsitsipas won the match. points to close it out 6-3. the Next Gen ATP Finals. Now, “I’m so proud of myself to- Federer was in deep trou- on his tournament debut he day, a great performance and ble when Tsitsipas broke him is one match away from win- once again the people were to love in the third game of the ning the season-ending event, great,” he said. second set but he finally made a featuring the year’s best eight “I really enjoyed myself on break point count -- his 10th, to players. Qatar will kickoff the 24th Arabian Gulf Cup against Iraq at the the court and sometimes in level at 2-2. Tsitsipas first broke into the Khalifa International Stadium. The Gulf Cup will run from Novem- matches like these you wonder Undaunted, Tsitsipas, dom- top 100 of the ATP rankings ber 26 to December 8. Group A which includes the hosts Qatar, how you recover from difficul- inating rallies from the back of only 25 months ago. UAE, Yemen and Iraq will play their matches at the Khalifa Stadi- ties and break point down. the court, broke again straight He will play either defend- um, while Group B with defending champions Oman, Saudi Arabia, Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas celebrates his win against Switzerland’s “It is a mental struggle and away with a forehand cross- ing champion Alexander Zverev Kuwait and Bahrain will play their matches at the Abdullah Bin Roger Federer during the men’s singles semi-final of the ATP World I’m proud how many I saved court winner for a 3-2 lead. or fifth seed Dominic Thiem in Khalifa Stadium (Al Duhail). Tour Finals at the O2 Arena in London on Saturday. (AFP) today, I was trying not to give At 5-4 down Federer Sunday’s final.

Quick read

Kuwait to host 3rd Shami stars as India crush B’desh India’s Phogat makes GCC Games in 2020 AFP wickets in the first innings, took Kuwait: Kuwait will host the Indore Mohammad Mithun for 18. dominant MMA debut third GCC Games in April 2020, Bangladesh skipper Momi- President of Kuwait Olympic Mohammed Shami took nul said the batting of Mush- Tribune News Network Committee Sheikh Fahad four wickets as India crushed fiqur and bowling ofA bu Jayed Beijing Nasser Sabah al Ahmad al Sa- Bangladesh by an innings and had been the only “positives” bah announced on Saturday. 130 runs inside three days of in the disappointing defeat. Indian wrestling superstar The 3dr GCC Games will include the opening Test on Saturday. The second and final match Ritu “The Indian Tigress” 12 events including, football, Bangladesh were bowled is a day-night clash, with India Phogat made a successful volleyball, basketball, handball, out for 213 in the final session hosting its first-ever pink-ball mixed martial arts and ONE swimming and athletics, in in Indore after their gamble to Test at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens Championship debut, putting addition to six other games bat first after winning the toss from November 22. together a dominant perfor- to be determined later, Kuwait backfired badly against the In- mance en route to a technical Olympic Committee President dian pace attack. knockout victory over South said in a press statement. He Shami’s fellow fast bowlers Scoreboard Korea’s Nam Hee Kim. explained that the tournament Umesh Yadav and Ishant Shar- Bangladesh 1st innings 150 (Mushfiqur Rahim Phogat immediately will be held from April 4 to 14 ma shared three wickets be- 43; M. shami 3-27) scored on a takedown in the India 1st innings (overnight 493-6 dec, M. Agarwal with the participation of Saudi tween them after India declared 243, A. Rahane 86, A. Jayed 4-108) opening seconds of the bout. Ritu Phogat after defeating Nam Arabia, the United Arab Emir- their first innings on 493 for six, India’s Mohammed Shami (right) celebrates the dismissal of Bang- Bangladesh 2nd innings She executed another suc- Hee Kim on her debut MMA, One ates, Qatar, Oman and Bahrain, with a lead of 343 runs. ladesh’s Taijul Islam on the third day of their first Test at the Holkar Shadman Islam b I. Sharma ...... 6 cessful takedown moments Championship fight in Beijing. in addition to the host Kuwait. “The captain gave me the Cricket Stadium in Indore on Saturday. (AFP) Imrul Kayes b Yadav ...... 6 later, this time keeping Kim Mominul Hauqe lbw shami ...... 7 freedom to bowl the way I Mohammad Mithun c Agarwal b shami ...... 18 on the mat and proceeding one hundred percent.” wanted and it went well,” Sha- first innings, got last man Eba- ing Imrul Kayes for six on a ball Mushfiqur Rahim c Pujara b Ashwin ...... 64 to deal damage with ground- Speaking about the bout, Verstappen grabs mi said after the game. “Hav- dat Hossain for one to spark In- that curved into the left-hander Mahmudullah c R. Sharma b shami ...... 15 and-pound. Ritu said it was always her ing Umesh and Ishant along- dia’s victory celebrations. and rattled the leg stump. Liton Das c & b Ashwin ...... 35 After securing the mount- plan to go for the takedown pole for Brazilian GP Mehidy Hasan b Yadav ...... 38 side me is a plus.” India were dominant Ishant Sharma got Shad- Taijul Islam c Saha b shami ...... 6 ed crucifix position, Phogat at the very beginning, “I be- Sao PAULO: Max Verstappen Bangladesh batsman Mush- with the bat and ball against man Islam for six in the next Abu Jayed not out ...... 4 pounded Kim out until the lieved that if I got her down secured the second pole posi- fiqur Rahim offered some re- Bangladesh. over. Shami then trapped Ebadat Hossain c Yadav b Ashwin ...... 1 referee intervened. early, I could finish her via tion of his career to mark his sistance, hitting 64 after Rohit Opening batsman Mayank skipper Mominul Haque lbw Extras (b2, lb9, nb1, w1) ...... 13 After her dominant debut ground and pound. The Total (all out, 69.2 overs) ...... 213 Red Bull boss Christian Horner’s Sharma dropped him on four Agarwal played a key part in the for seven. Fall of wickets: 1-10 (Imrul), 2-16 (Shadman), 3-37 victory, Ritu, who hails from plan worked.” 46th birthday in style on Satur- off Shami. win with his 243 – his second Mominul was given not (Mominul), 4-44 (Mithun), 5-72 (Mahmudullah), the hallowed Phogat fam- Asked what she wanted to day when he topped the qualify- Mushfiqur, who scored 43 double century in four Tests – out by the on-field umpire 6-135 (Liton), 7-194 (Mehidy), 8-208 (Taijul), ily known for their excellence do next, she said, “I have only ing times for Sunday’s Brazilian 9-208 (Mushfiqur), 10-213 (Ebadat) Bowling: I. in Bangladesh’s 150 in the first as India amassed 407 runs on but India skipper Virat Kohli Sharma 11-3-31-1, Yadav 14-1-51-2 (w1), shami in wrestling said, “I want to one goal and that’s to win Grand Prix. The 22-year-old innings, finally became one of the second day. successfully reviewed the de- 16-7-31-4 (nb1), Jadeja 14-2-47-0, Ashwin 14.2-6- thank my sisters and my fam- the ONE Atomweight World Dutchman, produced a best three wickets taken by off-spin- The bowlers kept up the cision with replays showing 42-3 ily, they believed in me and Championship for my coun- lap in one minute and 7.508 ner Ravichandran Ashwin. pressure when Bangladesh the ball would have hit leg Toss: Bangladesh motivated me... I want thank try. For me it’s all about be- Result: India won by an innings and 130 runs seconds to outpace Sebastian Ashwin, who reached 250 started their second innings. stump. Series: India lead the two-match series 1-0. everyone for their support, I coming the first Indian world Vettel and Lewis Hamilton. (AFP) wickets in home Tests in the Yadav drew first blood, tak- Shami, who also took three promise I’ll always give my champion in MMA.” Ronaldo targets 100th goal, Euro 2020 berth and revenge AFP (Sunday) he’ll score the most pions League win against penalty or fine by Juve, but Lisbon goals in his career,” Portugal Portugal’s forward Cristiano Lokomotiv Moscow in Rus- he should not escape a grilling coach Fernando Santos told Ronaldo gives the thumb up sia on November 6. by club vice-president Pavel Cristiano Ronaldo travels Saturday’s pre-match press during the Euro 2020 Group Four days later Ronaldo Nedved, according to the Ital- to Luxembourg on Sunday conference. B football qualification was again substituted in the ian sports press. with the objective of helping The symbolic century re- match against Lithuania Serie A match which the Tu- Despite Ronaldo’s poor reigning champions Portugal mains within arm’s reach of on Thursday. (AFP) rin giants won 1-0 against performance last Sunday, his qualify for Euro 2020 and the the striker who despite the AC Milan. demonstration on Thursday 100-goal mark for his country passing years has lost none of Ronaldo was replaced af- against Lithuania led to a within his reach. his lethal firepower. ter 55 minutes on the pretext softening in tone in the Ital- The former Real Madrid Already the top Champions that he had “a slight knee ian media, who had blasted star is also eager to prove he League scorer with 127 goals, problem”, with Paulo Dybala his “lack of respect” for his is not a player in decline af- ahead of his long-time rival Li- taking his place and scoring team-mates. ter his angry reaction to be- onel Messi, Ronaldo this sea- the winning goal. “Here (in Portugal) CR7 ing substituted by Juventus son broke the 700-goal mark The controversy swelled does not go, he embraces (the coach Maurizio Sarri in the in all competitions. when the Italian media re- coach) Fernando Santos and past two games. And with just two weeks vealed that the Portuguese had he remains on the bench. (...) The five-time Ballon d’Or to go before the Ballon d’Or aimed a few harsh words in It is clear that we do not waste winner, who turns 35 years in trophy is awarded, the player Sarri’s direction before return- time to demolish players, in- February, responded in typi- from Madeira has yet another ing directly to the locker room. cluding champions,” wrote cally defiant fashion with a chance to hammer home his He left the stadium a Corriere dello Sport. hat-trick in Portugal’s 6-0 win point on Sunday. few minutes before the final Relieved, the Portuguese over Lithuania on Thursday. A win would help Portugal whistle. press, heaped praise on Ron- It brought his tally to 98 wrap up a spot at Euro 2020 Ronaldo broke his silence aldo after he scored his ninth goals in 163 games, to close in and move on from the their by taking to Instagram on international hat-trick “with on Iranian striker Ali Daei’s 2-1 loss to Ukraine in Kiev last Monday, stating: “Difficult no sign of injury”. world record of 109 interna- month. They hold a one-point Should they slip up un- another shot via the play-offs. physically fit. game, important victory! Portugal will again rely on tional goals scored between advantage over Serbia in the expectedly, Ronaldo and co On Sunday, Ronaldo will The striker reacted furi- #until the end.” their talisman captain Sunday, 1993 and 2006. battle for second behind Group – winners of the inaugural also be keen to prove once ously after he was substitut- His status could prevent and bank on his goals to do the “I hope that tomorrow B winners Ukraine. Nations League – would have again to Sarri that he is ed in his team’s 2-1 Cham- him from being hit with a talking.