SPORT Wednesday 8 November 2017 PAGE | 30 PAGE | 32-33 PAGE | 35 Starc takes China on right EEcclestone sceptical two hat-tricks track , says about the impact of in one game Coach Lippi any F1 budget cap Russia-bound Iceland will aim to qualify for 2022 World Cup in Qatar: Bergsson Armstrong Vas number of registered players.” The Peninsula Youth development is the key he said. celand which capped its “They start at an early age incredible 2018 World Cup of six years old where they get Iqualifying campaign by good coaching, education and securing a berth in Russia aim good facilities. We try to work to maintain the same level of with the limited number of play- consistency and make it to the ers that we have given the small finals in Qatar. population and then those play- “Iceland can hopefully par- ers and kids have got the ticipate and qualify for the 2022 ambition to want to better World Cup in Qatar,” said Gudni themselves and play profession- Bergsson, President of the Foot- ally abroad in Europe. We have ball Association of Iceland. 70 players playing in Europe Commenting on the infra- professionally, so all that gives structure improvements of us the possibility of having a Qatar and preparations for the good national team.” 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar, the When asked about the pos- President of the Football Asso- sibility of exchanging experience ciation of Iceland said: “We had between the Iceland FA and a very interesting and good QFA, and the possibility of sign- presentation in the Supreme ing an MoU in the future he said: Committee for Delivery & Leg- “I think within the football acy Pavilion where I got a very world, and seeing that Iceland good insight into the thinking The President of the Qatar Football and Qatar both have a small and philosophy behind Qatar’s Association (QFA), Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa population, we should be bid and behind the preparations bin Ahmed Al Thani hands over a memento exchanging our knowledge and for the 2022 FIFA World Cup experiences and try to help each to President of the Football Association of Qatar. other to strengthen the game of Iceland, Gudni Bergsson in Doha yesterday. “It’s interesting to witness football.” how Qatar is trying to make sure “We are happy to share our that this significant tournament of the Qatar Football Associa- Ahmed Abbassi, Iceland FA both Presidents stressed on the the island nation of about experience and knowledge with will benefit the country and the tion (QFA), Sheikh Hamad bin Board Members Rikhardur importance of building on the 330,000 people. Qatar. From what I see and what region, not just during the World Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani Dadason and Magnus Gylfasson relationship between the two When asked about how a I hear, Qatar is working really Cup but after the World Cup as yesterday at the QFA’s head- attended the meeting. associations and developing small nation such as Iceland well with their limited pool of well. It was positive experience quarters in Al Bidda Tower. During the meeting they dis- them further in the future. Ice- qualified for the upcoming players, they have got a good and a very informative presen- QFA Vice President Saoud cussed the bilateral relations land FA President also praised World Cup, shown a tremen- academy (Aspire Academy), the tation so I now know a lot about Al Mohannadi, QFA General Sec- concerning football in the two the role played by the QFA Pres- dous performance during the league is strong and the national the 2022 World Cup.” retary Mansoor Al Ansari, countries. They also discussed ident which directly impacts Euro 2016, and managed to team is developing, which The Football Association of Executive Director of the QFA matters of mutual interest and football in a positive way. show the world that Iceland has means we can certainly learn Iceland President is in Doha as President office Ali Dawood, the importance of developing Iceland became the small- a great football team, he said: from each other. We will discuss Iceland and Qatar national QFA Executive Director of Strat- them in the coming period in est nation ever to qualify for the “It all started with our devel- it further in the future and I can teams are set to play a friendly egy and Institutional Qatar and Iceland and ways to World Cup by securing an auto- opment of players at the see certain key areas we can match on November 14 at Development Mushtaq Al Waeli, enhance the cooperation matic berth by defeating Kosovo grassroots level. We have got a cooperate in and exchanges 7:30pm in Al Duhail Stadium. QFA Director of Operations of between the two associations. 2-0 in Reykjavik to win Group lot of clubs in Iceland, a good going ahead between the two Bergsson met the President National Teams Department At the end of the meeting, I and kick-start celebrations in participation, and a healthy associations.” QSL Cup: Al Rayyan trounce Al Markhiya; Umm Salal win The Peninsula roup B leaders Al Rayyan trounced Al Markhiya 5-2 to Gmaintain their winning streak in the QSL Cup while Umm Salal edged Al Sadd 2-1 and Al Ahli rallied from two goals down to defeat Al Arabi in the other Group B matches played yesterday. At Gharafa Stadium Al Rayyan scored at will to trounce Markhiya 5-2. Abdelrrazzaq Hamedallah scored a hat-trick for The Lions scoring in the 32, 39 and in the 92nd minute. Pauro Babou opened the scoring in the eight minutefor Al Rayyan and Rod- rigo Tabata added the fourth one in the 80th minute. Saleh Badr (4) and Luwrance Awua- ley (70) found the net for Al Markhiya. Al Rayyan are on top in Group B with nine points. Earlier, they defeated Al Ahli and Al Sadd. Al Markhiya remained on four points, the same as Umm Salal, and Al Ahli while Al Sadd are yet to open their account. At Khor stadium, Umm Salal defeated Al Sadd 2-1 while at Al Wak- rah Stadium, Al Ahli rallied to get full points against Al Arabi. Today’s Group A fixtures are Al Sailiya vs Al Khor (Al Gharafa Stadium, 16:05), Al Kharaitiyat vs Al Duhail (Al Shamal Stadium, 18:15) and Al Gharafa vs Qatar SC (Al Wakrah Stadium, 18:15). Action from the QSL Cup match of Group B between leaders Al Rayyan and Al Markhiya at Al Gharafa Stadium yesterday. Al Rayyan won 5-2. Right: Al Kharaitiyat are leading the stand- ings in Group A. Al Rayyan’s Rodrigo Tabata (right) celebrates a goal with a team-mate. 30 SPORT WEDNESDAY 8 NOVEMBER 2017 T10 League promises power-packed action Dubai matches will be spread over a luxury yacht berthed at the aspects of watching the barrage excitement building already and was a large element of fun in the IANS 90 minutes (45 minutes each Dubai Marina on Sunday. As of runs which would accrue or we will see full houses not just quick version, the games would side). many as 60 players were cho- the happily reckless fall of wick- out of curiosity but because the be played competitively and ome December 21, the The T10 cricket league has sen by the 5 teams taking part ets.” Mulk, chairman of the T10 lure of the big names is also professionally. iconic Sharjah stadium in attracted scores of famous mar- in these proceedings, with the Cricket League, told this corre- there. This is instant cricket and “The desire to be the first Cthe United Arab Emirates quee names including Eoin 6th team Sri Lanka Cricket hav- spondent here. the fans will have a great time,” winners of a T10 tournament will reverberate to the thwack Morgan, Virender Sehwag, Mis- ing already been announced a Sharjah’s cricket stadium is Khan said. would be a historical achieve- of leather on willow. But with a bah-ul-Haq and day prior. a popular place for one dayers. “The demographic dictated ment and will motivate the difference. Inzamam-ul-Haq. Brian Lara “The idea was really to bring According to the General Man- a concentration on players in players to doing their best on the Thanks to the initiative from will coach the Kerala Kings led cricket into the same time realm ager of the Sharjah Cricket the Emirates and nations that field,” he said. the UAE-based business tycoon by Morgan. Final of the league as most other sports and ninety Stadium, Mazhar Khan, the new are represented in the region,” President of the League Sal- and sports lover Shaji Ul Mulk, matches will be played on minutes or so is the norm. The dimension to the short-form Mulk said. man Iqbalk, compared T10 to the venue will host the first ever December 24. idea was kicked around and no cricket has the potential to He underscored the fact that the F1 motor races saying he 10 overs cricket league. The draft for players to the one could deny there was a cer- become a runaway hit. the rules were according to the was confident the format would The ten-over per team five teams took place on board tain excitement to the visual “We are seeing the ICC mandate and though there be here to stay. Aussie pacers England call up Curran for Ashes better than 2013-14 Ashes London County Championship last season, when then limited-overs coach Ash- AFP while averaging a useful 27.44 with ley Giles declared him trio, says Harris the bat.