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QatarTribune Qatar_Tribune Al Rayyan QatarTribuneChannel qatar_tribune salvage a point with late Ferydoon strike against FC Goa page 14 TUESday, APRIL 27, 2021 Excitement mounts ahead of FIFA Arab Cup 2021 draw Draw to be held at Katara Opera House today at 9pm

Tribune News Network Doha

Ahead of the FIFA Arab Cup 2021™️ draw on Tues- day at 9pm, the qualifying matches for the tournament have been decided. Of the 23 nations involved, the 14 lowest-ranked teams according to the April edition of the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Rankings will participate in single-leg play-offs ahead of the tournament, which will be held later this year. The play-offs were decided according to the rankings, as Of the 23 nations involved, the 14 lowest-ranked teams according to the April edition of the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Rankings will participate in single-leg play-offs ahead of the tournament, which will be held later this year. follows: ● (FIFA World Rank- ing: 80) vs Somalia (197) ● (93) vs Djibouti FIFA Arab Cup (183) ● (95) vs South Sudan (169) 2021 in numbers ● (99) vs (148) wenty-three countries The number of con- ● Mauritania (101) vs will participate in the secutive (official) (145) T FIFA Arab Cup 2021™, 15games Lebanon ● Palestine (104) vs Comoros the draw for which will be held won between March 2016 and (131) at the Katara Opera House in September 2018. that ● (119) vs Sudan (123) Doha on Tuesday. period, the Cedars managed The seven winning teams Matches will be played at six to qualify for the AFC Asian will join the nine highest- of the Qatar 2022™ venues, Cup for the first time (UAE ranked teams who have already thereby providing the World 2019), having previously par- qualified for the tournament: Cup hosts the perfect oppor- ticipated in the 2000 edition host nation Qatar (58), Tuni- tunity to test facilities and op- as hosts. sia (26), (33), erations one year before world (34), (46), football’s flagship event takes Kuwait are the (65), (68), the United Arab place in the Middle East and most successful Emirates (73) and (79). Arab world for the first time. 10team in the history The tournament will The FIFA Arab Cup will kick off of the Arabian Gulf Cup, win- consist of a group stage and towards the end of this year ning the title ten times, most knockout rounds. and conclude on 18 Decem- recently in 2010. In 1980, The 16 teams will be split ber, Qatar’s National Day. Kuwait won the Asian Cup for into four groups of four, with the first time before qualifying the top two from each pro- Here are some key stats about for the 1982 FIFA World Cup gressing to the quarter-finals. the participants Spain. Matches will be played at six FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 tournament venues. The seven winning teams will join the nine highest-ranked teams who have already qualified for the tournament: host nation Qatar (58), Tuesday’s draw will be (26), Algeria (33), Morocco (34), Egypt (46), Saudi Arabia (65), Iraq (68), the (73) and Syria (79). made by four FIFA legends: Wael Gomaa (Egypt), Nawaf line with Qatar’s COVID-19 with the finals of each sched- rain, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Cup the most – with four ti- Al Temyat (Saudi Arabia), protocols. uled to take place exactly one Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, tles in 1964, 1966, 1985 and Haytham Mustafa (Sudan) The FIFA Arab Cup™️ is year apart – on 18 December, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, 1988, while Tunisia won the and Younus Mahmood (Iraq), seen as an important oppor- Qatar’s National Day. Oman, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, title of the inaugural edition along with FIFA’s Director of tunity to test operations and The list of participating na- Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, in 1963, Egypt 1992, Morocco Competitions, Manolo Zubiria. facilities ahead of Qatar 2022. tions includes 12 teams from Syria, Tunisia, United Arab 2012, while Saudi Arabia was A limited number of of- Both tournaments will take Asia and 11 from , which Emirates and Yemen. crowned twice in 1998 and ficials will attend the draw, in place in a similar timeslot, are hosts Qatar, Algeria, Bah- Iraq has won the Arab 2002.

AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Al Sadd beat Foolad to edge closer to last 16 berth Reigning CAF Iraq have taken part Africa Cup of Na- in the AFC Asian Cup AFC a first place finish, matched opened the scoring at the 24 tions champions 9on nine occasions with Riyadh the Qataris’ aggression but hour-mark when the Foolad Algeria are unbeaten in their their last appearance in 2019 couldn’t get their shots on tar- goal was left wide open after last 24 games, winning 17 being their seventh in a row. Al Sadd SC placed themselves get with Sasan Ansari rattling Foroozan failed to hold onto and drawing 7 since their last They claimed the title once, in in pole position in Group D the side netting in the 26th the ball, but Bounedjah’s defeat to Benin in October 2007, with victory over Saudi of the 2021 AFC Champions minute, before Zobeir Niknafs strike was safely swept away 2018. Arabia in the final. League with a 1-0 win over missed with his shot after a by defender Moussa Coulibaly. Foolad Khouzestan FC on perfect set-up by Ayanda Pa- The Qatar champions’ En route to their Tunisia qualified for the Monday. tosi seven minutes later. persistence, however, paid off maiden Asian title 2018 FIFA World Cup The result, coupled with For Al Sadd, the first half four minutes later when Nam 19in 2019, Qatar 8Russia™ after going Jordan’s Al Wehdat’s stunning was a story of missed op- Tae-hee rose high to head scored 19 goals in seven eight games undefeated, win over Al Nassr of Saudi portunities, especially so for home Al Haydos’ curling cross matches. Nine of those came winning six and drawing two. Arabia in the other Group D Baghdad Bounedjah who to end the stalemate. from tournament top-scorer The Eagles of Carthage were match, means the Qataris lead was always a step too late, The Korea Republic player Almoez Ali, who set a record the first African side to win a the standing with 10 points as the Algerian failed to con- then almost turned provider in for the most goals in a single game at a World Cup, defeat- going into the final matchday nect to any of the crosses into the 69th minute when Moham- edition of the competition. ing Mexico 3-1 on their maiden against Al Nassr, who are sec- the area. med Jadoua headed in his cross appearance in 1978. ond on eight points. The stalemate continued but to Al Sadd’s dismay, the ef- Egypt have an im- Foolad’s hunt for top spot, well into the second half, with fort was ruled out for offside. pressive record in Syria have appeared at however, came to an end al- Al Sadd holding the lion’s Foolad’s Chimba and Pa- 18recent FIFA World the Asian Cup six times, though the Islamic Republic share of possession and the tosi formed a dangerous duo Cup qualifiers, losing none of 6most recently in 2019, of side can still advance Al Sadd’s Nam Tae-hee tackles a Foolad Khouzestan FC player during Foolad defence began show- in the final third, and the ex- their last 18 home games. but have yet to go beyond the if they finish among the three the Group D AFC Champions League match in Riyadh on Monday. ing signs of cracking as Mo- change of passess between the The Pharaohs are Africa’s group stage. They have made best second placed teams. hammed Waad found space two in the 81st minute almost most successful team, wining a perfect start to qualifying Al Sadd, who came into the dominating possession in the Qatari passes and crosses into between the backline but his gave the Iranians their equal- seven AFCON titles, including for the FIFA World Cup Qatar tie having defeated Jordan’s opening minutes but Foolad the box with ease. shot lacked the firepower to iser but the Brazilian struck three in a row in 2006, 2008 2022™, winning their first five Al Wehdat in back-to-back goalkeeper Mohsen Foroozan Foolad, needing all three challenge Foroozan. right at Al Sadd goalkeeper and 2010. games. (Fifa.com) matches, started brightly, was on form, cutting out the points to stand a chance of Al Sadd should have Meshaal Barsham. Sports Tuesday, April 27, 2021 13 UEFA Champions League resumes after a week of Super League mayhem A week ago the football community went into a collective furor over Super League plans from a group of 12 teams. Several want out again amid the backlash, and three of the teams are now in action as the Champions league resumes.

DPA and Liverpool into their first Berlin semi-final since 2018, and in La Liga as defending champi- Record winners Real Ma- ons are fighting Barcelona and drid face Chelsea and last Atletico Madrid. year’s finalists Paris Saint- “We’ve not won anything Germain are up against Man- yet, but we’re alive in chester City as the Champions and the Liga,” Zidane said ahead League returns after a week of of Tuesday’s first-leg date. turmoil in the football com- Chelsea have shown big munity over an ill-fated Super improvement since Thomas League project. Tuchel became their manager Real, Chelsea and City are in January, with the German among 12 clubs listed while aiming for his second straight PSG declined to join the final after 2020 with PSG. planned all but closed com- The Blues ousted City last petition. week in the FA Cup semi-finals An angry backlash from and are unbeaten in three pre- fans, federations and politi- vious continental dates with cians prompted the six English Real, the last being the 1998 clubs, Inter Milan and Atletico European Super Cup. Madrid to announce their in- “There’s a lot of confidence Semis 1st Leg tention to withdraw. – we have a great team, a very The other four which in- confident bunch of guys. We’re Tuesday clude Real have not made going to go in and try to win this Real Madrid vs similar statements, and Real thing,” Chelsea’s American for- and Super League president ward Christian Pulisic said. Chelsea (10pm) Florentino Perez continues to While Real have an unri- Wednesday defend the project, saying it is valled 13 titles and Chelsea Paris Saint-Germain to save football. lifted the trophy in 2012, the vs Manchester City UEFA president Aleksand- ambitious duo of PSG and er Ceferin is among the biggest City finally wants to taste (10pm) critics as the Super League was glory as well in the elite event, to compete directly against the with one of them assured of Champions League which it- making the final. In this file photo taken on June 25, 2014 France’s forward Olivier Giroud (R) and France’s forward Karim Benzema shake hands after drawing 0-0 at the end of the Group E football self underwent a controversial City beat PSG en route to match between Ecuador and France at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro during the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Giroud and Benzema, who are often compared, will play against reform last week. their only previous semi-finals each other on Tuesday during the Real Madrid vs Chelsea UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg in the Spanish capital.(AFP) Ceferin has not ruled out appearance in 2016 but the sanctions but for now the sea- French have plenty of con- champions of Europe, we’re in good result on Wednesday in English on Sun- the cake. “We will rest and prepare son continues as planned en fidence having beaten title the semi-finals and we’ll have France as he aims to end his day against Tottenham Hot- “We won the first one, we for the semi-final first leg route to the May 29 final in holders Bayern Munich in a to work even harder,” PSG for- Champions League jinx after spur, can theoretically clinch are close to a second one and against PSG. Istanbul. quarter-final rematch of last ward Neymar said. leaving Barcelona where he the Premier League next we go to Paris to try for an- After that, we are two Zinedine Zidane’s Real year’s final. City manager Pep Guar- won the trophy twice. weekend but a first Europe- other one,” Guardiola said on games away from winning the have advanced over Atalanta “We’ve eliminated the diola will be hoping for a City won a fourth straight an Cup would be the icing on Sunday. most important title.” No public defence of Tuchel wants Chelsea to play Perez by coach Zidane with hunger and enthusiasm DPA drid in the next Champions London League, and that’s it.” Former DPA pened, UEFA president Alek- Chelsea talisman Eden Hazard Berlin sander Ceferin has made clear Zinedine Zidane has in- is finally fit after the latest in there will be consequences for sisted he has no need to issue a litany of debilitating injuries Thomas Tuchel believes the 12 clubs involved. a public defence of under-fire in his two seasons at Madrid. Chelsea can overcome a lack “Of course we deserve to Real Madrid president Floren- And Zidane revealed the of Champions League semi- play in a semi-final. If prob- tino Perez. Belgium playmaker is finally final experience by playing lems persist on a sports politi- Perez spearheaded the unimpeded, just in time to with hunger and enthusiasm cal level then they have to be failed breakaway Super League, take on his old club. when they go up against Real solved at that level, not on the coming under great pressure in “He played 20 minutes Madrid. pitch,” Tuchel said. the wake of the competition’s Zinedine Zidane. the other day and he felt quite The Blues have made it UEFA announced Cham- spectacular collapse. good,” said Zidane. through to the last four of Eu- pions League reforms last Real will host Chelsea in entirely just 48 hours later. “The most important thing rope’s premier club competi- week, including an increase in Tuesday’s Champions League ’s ‘big six’ clubs is that he doesn’t feel anything tion for the first time since number of teams from 32 to semi-final first leg, with the had signed up to the project, about his problem. He’s quite 2013-2014, a season that fin- 36 as the format switches to a threat of expulsion from next but Chelsea and Manchester well, he’s with us, he’s happy ished with Madrid winning the league system for the 2024-25 term’s competition still hang- City withdrew on Tuesday, to be with us and contribute to trophy in Lisbon. season. ing over their heads. April 20 and the edifice quick- the team a lot.” However, Tuchel feels The changes will see more Perez remains under great ly crumbled. Madrid’s France defender his Chelsea squad are in “a matches for those teams con- scrutiny in his role, but Zidane Madrid have yet to admit Raphael Varane is yet to renew good moment” heading into cerned, leaving Tuchel to insisted the Real president defeat officially on the Super a contract that has 18 months Tuesday’s first leg in the Span- question why coaches and knows exactly the support he League, with Perez insisting left to run, and has been heav- ish capital. players were not involved in has from his club manager. the project could be revived. ily linked with a summer “Every match I feel that we the planning process. “The president knows Asked if Real face any em- switch to Chelsea. are able to play on a very high “More games in the sched- what I have in my heart and barrassment over the linger- The 28-year-old refused to level,” Tuchel, who confirmed ule that we have is very hard what I think, and we are here ing situation, Zidane replied: comment on his future beyond Mateo Kovacic will miss the Chelsea’s German head coach Thomas Tuchel gestures on the touch- for me to be excited at all. to prepare tomorrow’s match,” “We have a match tomorrow, the end of the season however, game in Madrid through in- line during the English Premier League match between West Ham Did they ask any coach about said Zidane. I’m sorry but I’m not going to when asked about his contract jury, told the media. United and Chelsea at The London Stadium on Saturday. (AFP) this? I don’t think so - they “The rest is not that we are answer about that. situation. “I am focused on the “If it’s not possible to play didn’t ask me. Did they ask not interested, it’s just not the “Right now people are talk- end of the season,” said Var- our nicest match, we are al- run, then run. enthusiasm.” Both Chelsea any player about this? I don’t moment to talk about it. We ing a lot about whether we will ane. “If I have a message to the ways able to not let the op- “We should not expect cra- and Madrid were involved in think so,” Tuchel said. are going to play a Champions be in the competition next year fans it’s that my commitment ponents play their best match zy things from us, but the same the doomed European Su- “Who should play in these League semi-final, and that’s or not. We have to pay atten- is 100 per cent with the team. - which is also a definition of again on the highest level. per League proposal, lead- games? We have three substi- all we can think about.” tion to tomorrow’s match. We “We have a quite exciting performance. “We want to play hungry; ing to speculation they could tutes allowed in the Premier Perez was one of the failed don’t control that, there’s go- end to the season, beautiful “We have a strong bond; I we want to play adventurous. be kicked out of this season’s League, one of the toughest Super League’s main protago- ing to be a lot of conversation, challenges that motivate us a feel a strong bond within the Maybe, considering a lack of Champions League as a conse- competitions. No, I’m not nists, that was launched on and I’m just giving my opinion. lot. And I’m focused on giving squad. If it’s necessary to fight, experience in semi-finals, to quence. happy about this new format Sunday, April 18 but fell apart “We want to see Real Ma- it my best on the field.” then fight; if it’s necessary to compensate with hunger and While that has not hap- at all.”

Quick read Leipzig coach Nagelsmann asks to be Cologne sign Austrian midfielder Ljubicic Leverkusen academy player Gedikli gets released from contract for next season his first professional contract

Leipzig: RB Leipzig coach Julian Nagelsmann has asked to be released from Dusseldorf: Cologne have began preparations for next season without knowing Dusseldorf: Bayer Leverkusen have given their under-18 international forward Em- his contract amid media speculation linking him with a move to champions what division they will be playing in by signing Austrian midfielderD ejan Ljubicic on rehan Gedikli a first professional contract over one year, the Bundesliga club said on Bayern Munich, Kicker magazine has reported. Nagelsmann, 33, is contracted a free transfer from Rapid Vienna. The 23-year-old Ljubicic will join Cologne on a Monday. Gedikli, who turned 18 on Sunday, joined Leverkusen at the age of seven, to Leipzig until 2023 in a deal without a buy-out clause and according to the Bild four-year contract regardless of whether they are successful in their battle for top- and has scored 43 goals in as many games in the junior Bundesliga. He has come paper has already agreed terms with Bayern. Leipzig are demanding a record fee flight survival or if they are relegated to the second division. “We are very pleased on as a first-team substitute in threeE uropa League games. The youngster has also of 30 million euros (36.3 million dollars) for their star coach, sources told dpa. that we could convince Dejan to join the club,” managing director Horst Heldt said started training as a sports and fitness salesman at the club. I“ owe a lot to Bayer Bayern are searching for a new boss as treble-winning coach Hansi Flick has of the first addition for next term.L jubicic said the move was “the next step for 04. I would like to repay that with good performances,” Gedikli said. “I am passion- asked to be released from his contract. He has been suggested as a possible me, in order to develop myself as a footballer and a person.” Cologne are in the ate about the club and want to assert myself in professional football.” Sports direc- successor to Germany coach Joachim Loew after Euro 2020. (DPA) relegation play-off place with three matches remaining. (DPA)( tor Simon Rolfes named Gedikli “an attacker with a keen eye for goals.”(DPA) 14 Tuesday, April 27, 2021 Sports

Attiyah-Baumel win Rally Highlands of Lorca IN SPAIN

Qatar’s Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah and his French co-driver Matthieu Baumel won the Rally Highlands of Lorca, in Lorca, Spain, on Sunday. Attiyah and Baumel finished ahead of Spanish pair Jan Solans and Rodrigo Sanjuan. Attiyah driving a Volkswagen Polo GTI R5 registered a total time of 45:42.302 seconds over three days of rally, in which he won three stages. Solans was just six seconds behind Attiyah in Citroen C3. Another home pair Jose Suarez and Alberto Churches finished third in Skoda Fabia R5 with a time of 46:18.74 seconds. Flick and Bayern Late Ali strike helps Al Rayyan set to discuss score a 1-1 draw vs FC Goa future after Mainz AFC the restart but his tame effort disappointment Goa from inside the box was easily dealt with by Dheeraj Singh. DPA according to the Bild paper. Ali Ferydoon struck in the Al Rayyan increased the Frankfurt Sport director Hasan Sali- 89th minute as Qatar’s Al intensity of their attacks and hamidzic, who has had disa- Rayyan salvaged a 1-1 draw Yaccine Brahimi Bayern Munich club bosses greements with Flick in the with ’s FC Goa in Group should have done better in the including chairman Karl-Heinz past, has come a target for E of the AFC Champions 53rd minute when he failed to Rummenigge made a quick get- fans though Rummenigge said League on Monday. find the target from inside the away from Mainz on Saturday – it “wasn’t fair” that he is cur- The late leveller was a huge box off Mowafak Awad’s pass. just like the players after a poor rently under pressure. blow for debutants FC Goa, FC Goa’s best chance of the performance ensured there was “All decisions, obviously who had looked like they were second half came in the 72nd no need to hang around for also transfers and squad plan- heading for a historic first win minute when substitute Ro- celebrations, beer showers and ning, are made here at Bayern for an Indian club in the group meo Fernandes teed up Glan victory pictures. together also with the board stage of the continental show- Martins at the top of the box A ninth consecutive Bun- and advisory board - and the piece after Jorge Ortiz had but the defender blasted his desliga still looks inevitable coach is also involved.” Flick given them an early lead. effort over the bar. for Bayern with three games unilaterally annoucing his Both teams came into the The missed chance was to go but they missed the first desire for a change annoyed tie with a point to prove after to prove costly for FC Goa as chance to wrap up matters in a Bayern but after winning six failing to secure a win in their Al Rayyan equalised in the dismal 2-1 loss to Mainz. titles in the 2020 season and previous four matches but it 89th minute when Ferydoon Second-placed RB Leipzig delivering – almost certainly was FC Goa who showed more steered the ball into the back then ensured Bayern did not – another routine Bundesliga determination from the start. of the net from close range af- become champions on their title his position is strong. sent a ter a fumble by Dheeraj Singh. sofas by beating VfB Stuttgart deep cross from the centre to FC Goa defenders try to stop an Al Rayyan player during their Group E AFC Champions League match FC Goa will play UAE’s 2-0 on Sunday but trail by Ortiz whose effort was blocked played at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda, Goa, on Monday. Al Wahda FSCC in their final seven points with three games Bayern’s title party in by Al Rayyan goalkeeper Soud group match on Thursday remaining. Mainz did not happen as Alhajri. The Spanish midfield- Mohamed Al Aaeldin finding minute when Khalid Muftah in first half added time when while Al Rayyan will aim to “It is a shame that would expected and want-away er, however, regained posses- Naif Al Hadhrami lurking in- muscled his way into the box his effort from distance almost end their campaign with a win not take the next step,” said coach Hansi Flick will use sion from Alhajri’s poor clear- side the box but the midfield- but Dheeraj Sigh denied the caught Soud Alhajri off guard against Islamic Republic of coach Hansi Flick. “I first need the break until the next ance and slotted the ball home er’s attempt was foiled by FC defender at the near post be- as Al Rayyan were left trailing Iran’s Persepolis FC. to digest this defeat. game to discuss his future from close range to give FC Goa Goa goalkeeper Dheeraj Singh fore stopping Yohan Boli’s 1-0 going into the break. But he remained confident with the club. the lead just three minutes in. in the 30th minute.. free-kick three minutes later. Abdulrahman Al Korbi Scoreline: Al Rayyan 1 (Ali Fery- of clinching a 31st German Al Rayyan tried to force Al Rayyan’s persistence Ishan Pandita came close to could have equalised for Al doon 89’) vs FC Goa 1 (Jorge championship sooner or later. their way back into the game, almost paid off in the 37th doubling FC Goa’s advantage Rayyan seven minutes into Ortiz Mendoza). “We still need a win,” he said. Outside the club too he “I assume we’ll get it.” Bayern is a man in demand with have a rare two-week break many considering him fa- given they are in neither the vourite to replace his for- semi-finals of the Champions mer boss Joachim Loew as League or German Cup, giving Germany coach after Euro Al Duhail ready for Al Shorta face-off the 56-year-old Flick the ideal 2020. The German federation chance to discuss his future (DFB) would therefore also AFC campaign with a 2-0 win over with his current employer. appreciate a prompt agree- Riyadh Al Shorta and head coach He has a contract to 2023 ment between Flick and Bay- Sabri Lamouchi will not be but would like to leave in ern regarding the future. Al Duhail SC will aim to tight- expecting his side to slip up summer. DFB vice president Rainer en their grip on the Group C in their second meeting, not “We have agreed that we Koch however reiterated to lead when they play Al Shorta when the Qatari are unbeaten will sit down after the game in the Blickpunkt Sport pro- in the 2021 AFC Champi- in four matches. Mainz,” Rummenigge told the gramme on Sunday that the ons League at King Abdullah Al Duhail’s attacking play- Bild am Sonntag paper. federation would not break Sports City Stadium at 8.45pm ers have served them well and Money is likely be one sub- precedent by paying a first- on Tuesday. with Al Shorta struggling to ject though not the only issue ever fee for a coach. With challengers Esteghlal find goals,L amouchi will sure- on the table. Flick must also consider FC and Al Ahli Saudi FC facing ly set his team up with three “If we are to meet Hansi’s securing the title with Bayern off in Group C’s other tie with points the target. wishes, all parties have to find alongside his future and ad- both needing victory, a win “We want to win the match a solution together in which mitted he was unsure what for Qatar’s Al Duhail against in order to remain at the top Bayern is also happy,” Rum- went wrong in Maniz, saying it Al Shorta will take them to 11 of the group,” said Lamouchi. menigge said. “looked a little slower,” and “we points and closer to the auto- “There is no doubt that the “We are still speaking here didn’t act with the same inten- matic slot to the Round of 16. match will not be easy and we about a coach who achieved sity we normally do,” despite Esteghlal and Al Ahli Saudi respect Al Shorta a lot because something historic and whose star striker Robert Lewandows- are tied on seven points while they are a good team. work we are very happy with.” ki returning from injury. Al Shorta are still in search of “What we are looking for- Rummenigge is eager to keep The Polish forward netted their first after four defeats. ward to is getting the three Flick if possible but Bayern the injury-time consolation to The stats don’t favour points but everything is possi- would certainly benefit from a move to 36 season goals, four Al Shorta going into their ble in football. The AFC Cham- quick solution to enable plan- behind the legendary 40 of penultimate 2021 AFC Cham- Al Duhail and Al Shorta will clash in the Group C AFC Champions League on Tuesday. pions League is not an easy ning for next season. Gerd Mueller in 1971-72 - he pions League tie against the competition but our target is They are also considering has three games left to match group leaders. Shorta was Fahad Youssef remaining matches and we the competition. to win matches. alternatives such as RB Leipzig’s or better that mark but must Aleksandar Ilic’s side scoring their first goal of the want to change the image that “We will be making some “We will be putting the Julian Nagelsmann, who has till also improve again. looked to set to claim their tournament and with nothing we had previously. changes in the formation but it best formation for tomorrow’s now denied speaking to Bayern “Robert definitely did not first point of the tournament to lose, Ilic will urge his team “The match against Al Du- will not be a lot. We have some match because we must be about moving to Munich. stand out from the team,” Flick in the Matchday Four encoun- to give it their all against the hail will be very difficult be- injuries in the team and we serious and eager to get the Media reports Monday said dipolomatically about Le- ter against Al Ahli Saudi but group leaders. cause they are one of the best worked hard in order to regain three points. however said Bayern had ap- wandowski’s rare below-par were denied by Abdulrahman “The previous four match- teams in the group. It might be the positive mood of the play- “We are preparing the proached Leipzig, who would performance. Ghareeb’s strike 11 minutes es were hard for us in terms difficult to play against them ers after the last defeat.” players well and they are phys- demand a huge fee for the Bayern are next in action from time as they fell 2-1. of competition in this tourna- but we must work very well in Al Duhail opened their ically and mentally ready for 33-year-old coach – up to 30 against Borussia Moencheng- A positive note for Al ment,” said Ilic. “We have two order to have a good ending in 2021 AFC Champions League the match.” million euros ($36.3 million), ladbach on May 8. Sports Tuesday, April 27, 2021 15 Players concerned about COVID-19 situation in India,

Alexander Zverev during the event press conference in Munich. says ’s Tye Zverev hopes elbow ANI/TNN New Delhi problems are over as

After opting out of the on- There was a number of going reasons for leaving, but he starts in Munich (IPL), pacer the main one was with Andrew Tye revealed that sev- DPA eral Australian players are wor- the situation that has Munich ried about the COVID-19 situa- started to happen back tion in India at the moment. home in Perth with a lot Alexander Zverev said on Rajasthan Royals (RR) of cases in hotel Monday he hopes that his el- on Sunday had informed that bow problems are a matter of pacer Andrew Tye flew back to quarantine coming out the past as he starts his bid for Australia due to personal rea- of India. a third title at the BMW Open sons. In a tweet, RR said, “AJ clay court tournament. Tye flew back to Australia ear- Andrew Tye World number six Zverev lier today due to personal rea- is the top seed in Munich and sons. We will continue to offer has a first-round bye. any support he may need.” Royal Challengers Banga- Zverev told reporters the “There was a number of lore (RCB) on Monday con- problems started at last year’s reasons for leaving, but the Australian pace bowler Andrew Tye, who was playing for the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier firmed that its two Australian French Open and were so Zverev hopes to serve without main one was with the situa- League, returned to Perth via Doha on Monday. players -- Adam Zampa and bad at the recent Miami Mas- any concerns. tion that has started to happen Kane Richardson -- will be ters that he could only play back home in Perth with a lot told SEN Radio, as reported by ably a lot more than that num- on the IPL when there’s people heading back for personal rea- with strong pain killers “and news conference that he re- of cases in hotel quarantine ESPNcricinfo. ber who can’t get tested. Yes, not being able to be accepted sons. couldn’t hold the raquet.” mains opposed to the new coming out of India. “There’s definitely con- the IPL and BCCI have done into hospital?”, Tye has been Meanwhile, He said examinations had Davis Cup finals format which “Now there’s been a com- cerns from the Australians. A an amazing job of keeping us quoted as telling SEN WA spinner revealed liquid in the joint makes it unlikely he will par- munity case in Perth govern- lot of guys have been in touch safe but at the same time it’s Breakfast with Gilly and Goss has announced that he would and treatment with cortisone ticipate this year. ments are trying to restrict today once they realised I was tough and you also feel bad for from Doha on Monday. be taking a break from the on- didn’t help. Zverev has now In addition, the 24-year- numbers coming back in, es- leaving. Some of the guys are the amount of people out there Tye is the fourth overseas going IPL season as he wants had prepared blood of his own old dismissed suggestions to pecially Western Australia. I very interested in what route I with Covid and we are still able player for the Royals to pull to extend support to his fam- injected into the bone and grant Olympic athletes for just thought to try and get on took home and other guys are to play .” out of the IPL. Earlier, Ben ily who are currently battling hopes for improvement. the Tokyo Games in sum- the front foot and get home just happy to make sure I’m Tye has also raised ques- Stokes and pulled COVID-19. “At the moment I have mer preferential coronavirus before I got locked out of the okay. Not sure if I’ll be the only tions over the money being out of the IPL due to injuries The COVID-19 pandemic no more pain,” he said, after vaccination. country. one,” he added. spent by the franchises when while Liam Livingstone flew has gripped India and the training his service for the first “At the moment there are “It’s been a long time in Further talking about the the country is struggling to back home due to bubble fa- country has been reporting time again before a final medi- more important people to bubbles and hubs – doing the COVID-19 situation in India, contain the spread of the virus. tigue. With this, Rajasthan is more than 3,00,000 new cas- cal check later Monday. be vaccinated than Olympic calculations earlier, think I’ve Tye said: “They are having “How are these companies now left with only four over- es every day. This is the most “Then I can hopefully serve athletes. We are at the Olym- had 11 days at home out of the over 300,000 cases a day and and franchises spending so seas players. Tye did not play number of cases being report- without any concerns and do pics. But that doesn’t mean we bubble since August, so for me they are only the ones being re- much money on the game and in any game of the season for ed since the pandemic broke everything,” Zverev said. are something better,” Zverev I just wanted to get home,” Tye ported, we know there’s prob- able to spend so much money Rajasthan. out in 2020. Zverev also said in the said. Krishna excels with the ball as ease past

ANI start to the side and added 36- Ahmedabad run for the opening . bagged the first Spirited performance from wicket for his side as he dis- Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) missed Rahul (19) in the sixth helped them to beat Punjab over. Kings by five in the could not live Indian Premier League match up to the expectation as he was here at the Narendra Modi sent back to the pavilion on a Stadium on Monday evening. golden duck by . With this win, KKR finally Things did not turn good registered a second win of the for Punjab as season after four successive (1) too departed cheaply in the defeats. A spirited bowling eighth over. Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors. (Getty Images/AFP) performance from KKR re- and Mayank build an 18-run stricted Punjab Kings to 123/9 brief stand for the fourth in their allotted 20 overs. In wicket but Narine broke the Stephen stars as reply, skipper partnership. Mayank departed and led the after scoring 31 runs studded run-chase and scored unbeat- with two sixes. Warriors hold off en 47 and 41 runs respectively Punjab kept on losing to put the side over the line wickets at regular intervals. with 20 balls to spare. Moises Henriques (2), Pooran Sacramento Kings Chasing 124, KKR had (19), Shahrukh Khan (13), and a wobbly start as they three Ravi Bishnoi (1) failed to leave wickets inside the first three their mark on the scoreboard. TCA/DPA free throws to lock up the win. overs. (0), Shub- In the death overs, Chris San Jose (California) Curry wound up with 37 man Gill (9) and Sunil Narine Jordan’s 30-run knock off 18 points, shooting 7-for-14 from (0) departed cheaply as Pun- of Kolkata Knight Riders celebrates the wicket of Deepak Hooda of Punjab Kings with balls guided the side to a re- Stephen Curry scored at 3-point distance. He also had jab bowlers gave their all to teammates in the Vivo Indian Premier League 2021 in Ahmedabad on Monday. (BCCI/IPL) spectable total in the end. least 30 points for the 13th seven turnovers. defend the low score. For KKR, Krishna re- time in 14 games, but he had Kelly Oubre Jr added 19 But the 66-run stand be- joined Mor- unbeaten 28-run match-win- backed their skipper Eoin turned with the figures of 3-30 just four free throws in the points for the Warriors (31- tween Morgan and Tripathi gan in the middle after Tri- ning stand. Karthik remained Morgan’s decision of bowling in his four overs while Cum- fourth quarter as the Warriors 30), who earned their eighth for the fourth wicket depleted pathi’s dismissal. Russell’s unbeaten on 12 runs while after winning the toss as they mins and Narine scalped two held off the Sacramento Kings win in 11 games. any chances of a turn-around nine-run stint ended in the Morgan scored 47 off bowled on tight lengths and wickets each. 117-113 on Sunday night at the It was nearly a missed op- in the encounter. The duo 15th over as a sharp throw 40 including two sixes and did not give any loose balls to Scores: Punjab Kings 123/9 in Chase Center. portunity for the Warriors added runs quickly and took from Arshdeep Singh hit the four 4s. Punjab batters to score freely. 20 overs ( 31, The Warriors overcame a against a Sacramento team charge on Punjab bowlers. base of the stumps and found For KKR, Mohammed Apart from openers KL 30; Prasidh Krish- clutch performance by Kings playing without top scorer Deepak Hooda bagged Trip- him short of the crease. Shami, Moises Henriques, Ar- Rahul and Mayank Agarwal, na 3-30, Sunil Narine 2-22, Pat rookie Tyrese Haliburton, who De’Aaron Fox. A month after athi in the 11th over after he came in to shdeep and Hooda picked one no other batsman was able to Cummins 2-31); KKR 126/5 in scored 15 of his 24 points in Fox lit up Golden State for a had scored 41 runs studded bat at number seven. Karthik wicket each. stitch a decent partnership. 16.4 overs (Eoin Morgan 47*, the fourth quarter. career-high 44 points, he was with seven fours. and Morgan then stitched an Earlier, KKR bowlers Rahul and Mayank gave a slow Rahul Tripathi 41; Shami 25-1). The Warriors led 114-113 sidelined Sunday by the NBA’s after a layup by Haliburton health and safety protocols. when Curry’s pass against Hield scored 25 points for pressure in the backcourt was the Kings as he shot 6-for-8 on intercepted by Buddy Hield. 3-pointers and Barnes had 23. Nets eclipse Suns in Durant return, Wizards enjoy best run since 2001 But Hield lost the ball out of The Warriors led by as many bounds while driving toward as six points late in the third DPA Nets superstar Durant was double of 20 points and 13 run ended at four games. the Hawks with 32 points, the basket with 13 seconds left. quarter but the Kings closed to Berlin 12-for-21 shooting, includ- rebounds were not enough for Washington are in the however, Lou Williams fuelled The Kings fouled Curry 94-92 before the period ended. ing two-for-three from three- the high-flying Suns (42-18) in midst of their longest streak Atlanta down the stretch by with 9.2 seconds left and he Sacramento then surged ahead Kevin Durant returned from point range, while tallying six Brooklyn. since December 2001, during scoring four three-pointers in promptly missed the first free with a 3-pointer by Halibur- injury and the Eastern Con- rebounds, four assists and two The Washington Wizards Hall of Famer Michael Jor- the final seven minutes. throw - his third miss of the ton that capped a 17-4 run that ference-leading Brooklyn Nets steals in 28 minutes. claimed their eighth succes- dan’s time with the franchise. Double-doubles from Terry night. The 92 per cent foul pushed the visitors into a 104- beat the Phoenix Suns 128-119. Kyrie Irving had 34 points sive victory after topping the Two-time reigning MVP Rozier (21 points and 11 assists), shooter converted the second 98 lead with 8:05 to play. Durant made his come- (10-of-19 shooting) and 12 assists Cleveland Cavaliers 119-110. Giannis Antetokounmpo fin- P.J. Washington (22 points and for a 115-113 lead. Wiggins and Oubre an- back on Sunday following a as the star-studded Nets - still Bradley Beal scored 33 ished with 31 points and 14 12 rebounds) and Cody Martin Former Warrior Harri- swered with layups for the three-game absence due to a without James Harden (ham- points, while Russell West- rebounds, but the Milwaukee (13 points and 10 rebounds) in- son Barnes missed a 3-point Warriors, cutting the margin thigh contusion, the former string) - improved to 41-20. brook added 14 points, 11 as- Bucks still lost 111-104 to the spired the Charlotte Hornets to try against tight defense from to two points, and coach Steve NBA MVP posting 33 points Devin Booker’s 36 points sists and five rebounds as the Atlanta Hawks. a 125-104 victory at home to the Andrew Wiggins with 0.7 sec- Kerr put Curry and Green back off the bench. and a Deandre Ayton double- former MVP’s triple-double Bogdan Bogdanovic led Boston Celtics. onds left and Curry made two into the game with 7:19 left.