SPORT Tuesday 4 September 2018 PAGE | 17 PAGE | 19 Ronaldo remains Rafael Nadal cruises scoreless since into US Open joining Juventus quarter-finals QSL Cup: Al Gharafa to begin title defence against Qatar SC FAWAD HUSSAIN FROM LEFT: Al QSL CUP GROUPS THE PENINSULA Gharafa’s Wesley GROUP A Sneijder, Amro Al Duhail, Al Gharafa, Umm Salal, Al Arabi, Qatar SC, Al Kharaitiyat DOHA: Defending champions Abdullfattah Siraj Sanchez Al Gharafa face tough Qatar SC and Vladimir Weiss GROUP B test in their opening match as celebrate a goal Al Sadd, Al Rayyan, Al Sailiya, Al names the Qatar Stars League during their 4-0 Khor, Al Ahli, Al Shahania Management (QSLM) yesterday win over Al Ahli released the schedule of QSL in the QNB Stars squad for Cup which will kick off from League on Friday. ROUND 1 FIXTURES September 7. GROUP A Al Gharafa won the 2017 September 7 friendlies QSL Cup after edging out Al 6:10pm: Al Duhail vs Al Kharaitiyat at THE PENINSULA Rayyan 3-2 in the final at Abdulla Bin Khalifa Stadium Suheim Bin Hamad Stadium fol- 6:10pm: Umm Salal vs Al Arabi at lowing heroics from goalkeeper Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium DOHA: Head coach Felix Qassim Burhan, who famously 8:20pm: Al Gharafa vs Qatar SC at Sanchez (pictured above) stopped a second-half penalty Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium named the Qatar squad for kick by feared striker Rodrigo friendlies against China and Tabata to ensure title for ‘The GROUP B Palestine, The two interna- Cheetahs’. September 8 tional friendlies will be played All the 12 QNB Stars League 6:10pm: Al Sadd vs Al Shahania at on September 7 (China) and teams divided into two groups Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium 11 (Palestine) and both will battle out for the trophy. 6:10pm: Al Rayyan vs Al Ahli at Thani matches will be held at This year’s edition will see a Bin Jassim Stadium Khalifa International Stadium change in format as the six- 8:20pm: Al Sailiya vs Al Khor at Abdullah in Doha. team group stage will be fol- Bin Khalifa Stadium The national coach will lowed by quarter-finals instead use the friendlies to work on of four teams directly qualifying The opening day of the tour- square off with Al Kharaitiyat at The other Group B match in his players as Qatar prepares for the semi-finals like the last nament will see Round 1 clashes Abdulla Bin Khalifa Stadium Round 1 will be played between Al Gharafa won the 2017 for 2019 Asian Cup to be held season. in Group A while the Group B while Umm Salal will take on Al Al Sailiya and Al Khor. QSL Cup after edging out in the UAE in January next The Group A also include Al teams will be seen in action on Arabi in other match of the day. The quarter-finals of the Al Rayyan 3-2 in the final year. Duhail, Umm Salal and Al Arabi the following day. Top Group B sides Al Sadd tournament will be played on played at the Suheim Bin Sanchez named 25 and Al Kharaitiyat apart from Al Before the Group A clash and Al Rayyan will open their January 18 and January 19, 2019 Hamad Stadium, following players for the camp ahead Gharafa and Qatar SC. The between Al Gharafa and Qatar campaigns on September 8. while the semi-finals will be of the two friendlies. Group B comprises Al Sadd, Al SC at Suhaim Bin Hamad Al Sadd will meet Al Sha- held on January 25 and January heroics from goalkeeper In the 2019 Asian Cup, Rayyan, Al Sailiya, Al Khor, Al Stadium on September 7, pre- hania while Al Rayyan will take 26. The final of the tournament Qassim Burhan. Qatar will be playing against Ahli and Al Shahania. event favourites Al Duhail will on Al Ahli in their first match. will be played on February 22. Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and North Korea in Group E. QNB STARS LEAGUE STANDINGS AFTER ROUND 4 QATAR SQUAD Al Sadd, Al Duhail go neck and neck Meshal Barshm (goalkeeper), Pedro RANK TEAM MATCHES WINS LOSSES DRAWS PTS Miguel, Salem Al Hajri, Tarek Salman, 1 Al Sadd 4 3 0 1 10 Abdul Karim Hassan, Boualem Khoukhi, THE PENINSULA Sunday while Al Duhail staged a bril- while Al Arabi are placed one spot 2 Al Duhail 4 3 0 1 10 Hashim Ali, Hassan Al Haidos and liant fightback from two goals down below them, depending on the goal 3 Al Sailiya 4 3 1 0 9 Akram Afif (Al Sadd). Bassam Hisham Al Rawi, Sultan Al Brake, Assim Madibo, DOHA: Al Sadd remained on top of to prevent a Qatar SC coup to a 3-2 difference. 4 Al Arabi 4 3 1 0 9 the points table ahead of Al Duhail on win. Sheikh Jassim Cup winners Al Abdullah Abdul Salam Al Ahraq, Abdul- 5 Al Rayyan 4 2 0 2 8 goal difference as both teams were tied Al Sadd’s Algerian striker Baghdad Rayyan are placed fifth with eight rahman Fahmi, Al Moez Ali (Al Duhail), on 10 points following their victories Bounedjah continued to be the QNB points after two draws and same 6 Al Gharafa 4 2 1 1 7 Yousuf Hassan (goalkeeper), Mahdi Ali, during the fourth round of the QNB Stars League’s top scorer with 11 goals, number of wins. 7 Umm Salal 4 1 2 1 4 Abdul Aziz Hatem and Ahmad Alaa, Stars League on Sunday. while team-mate Akram Afif Al Gharafa and Umm Salal are 8 Al Shahania 4 1 2 1 4 Hamad Al Obeidi and Abdul Karim A brilliant brace by Akram Afif increased his tally to six following his placed sixth and seventh respectively 9 Qatar SC 4 1 3 0 3 Salim Al Ali (Al Sailiya) Mohammed Alaa and goals from Algerian striker brace against Al Shahania. Boualem while Al Shahania and Qatar SC 10 Al Ahli 4 1 3 0 3 (Al Rayyan) Ahmed Fathi (Arab) Ahmed Baghdad Bounedjah and Boualem Khoukhi was The Wolves’ other scorer. occupy the eighth and ninth positions 11 Al Khor 4 0 3 1 1 Moeen (Qatar) Mohammed Bakri (goal- keeper) (Al Khor). Khoukhi secured hosts Al Sadd a con- Al Sailiya, occupy the third spot in that order, followed by Al Ahli, Al 12 Al Kharaitiyat 4 0 4 0 0 vincing 4-0 win over Al Shahania on following a 2-1 victory over Al Khor Khor and Al Kharaitiyat. Coach: Felix Sanchez NBA stars blown away by Aspire Academy facilities THE PENINSULA Los Aangeles Lakers head coach Luke Walton (left) giving tips to a group of Aspire The visitors have not only Academy student-athletes during the NBA stars’ visit to Aspire Academy on Monday. been impressed by Aspire DOHA: Former basketball player Academy, they stressed that their and seven-time NBA All-Star overall stay in Qatar had been a Tracy McGrady, Golden State great time for them. Warriors shooting guard Klay “I think in order to have an Thompson and LA Lakers head understanding what Qatar is all coach Luke Walton visited about people have to come here, Aspire Academy in Doha because they are really doing yesterday. amazing things here. The people Besides the opportunity to are gracious and friendly and I find out more about the place in will definitely tell people back a guided tour, the three NBA home that this is a place worth stars used their visit to share visiting”, says Tracy McGrady. some experience with a group “This has been one of my best of Aspire Academy student-ath- trips ever.” letes on the basketball court. The NBA stars are spending “The combination sports and five days in Qatar at the invi- education here at Aspire is tation of the Supreme Committee something special. They are not for Delivery & Legacy (SC) to see only making great athletes, but how Qatar is preparing to host the educational component will the 2022 FIFA World Cup. From also shape them to become great Aspire Academy the NBA stars leaders and smart guys and so took a shot hop to Aspetar, they will have something to fall Rockets, New York Knicks and LA Lakers coach Walton, who philosophy. “The facilities for the about the sophisticated scouting Orthopaedic and Sports Med- back to just in case”, said the Detroit Pistons and who was had a successful playing career different sports are all nothing to and selection process and seeing icine Hospital, and were blown former shooting guard McGrady, inducted into the Naismith including two NBA championship none and it’s great to see so many all the opportunities they have away by the services and oper- who played for great teams such Memorial Basketball Hall of titles with his current club, was kids working and training here. here I wish I was a kid and could ations at the world renowned as Orlando Magic, Houston Fame as part of the Class of 2017. also impressed by the Academy’s I was impressed when I heard come here.” institute. TUESDAY 4 SEPTEMBER 2018 SPORT 17 Ronaldo, Salah & Modric short-listed for FIFA Player of the Year award AFP title in five years in May before season for club and country. credentials as a potential winner joining Italian champions As well as his influential dis- of the award. Salah enjoyed a LONDON: Lionel Messi was left Juventus in July. The 33-year-old plays in Real’s Champions League record-breaking first season with off the shortlist for the FIFA’s won the player of the year crown triumph, the Croatia midfielder Liverpool as his goals propelled men’s player of the yearyear awardaward inin 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016 andand was thet key man for his country Jurgen Klopp’s to the Champions yesterday as his old rivalval Cristiano 2017.2017.