CRICKET | Page 5 PARALYMPICS | Page 7 Pink ball Russian ban makes To Advertise here upheld, Call: 444 11 300, 444 66 621 fi rst-class Moscow debut in India cries foul Wednesday, August 24, 2016 TENNIS Dhul Qa’da 21, 1437 AH Serena, Kerber GULF TIMES qualify for Tour fi nals in Singapore SPORT Page 4 AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE / PREVIEW LEKHWIYA STADIUM, 7PM El Jaish raring to go as Al Nasr tussle looms large ‘Nobody could have imagined El Jaish would be in this position. Of course it won’t be an easy game, but we have been training in the United Arab Emirates for three weeks and we are happy to play this game’ knockout phase for only the second time by winning Group D, while also claiming an impressive double over another Emirati side in inaugural win- ners Al Ain. The Qatar Stars League side then continued their impressive run in eliminating Lekhwiya as both Brazilian Romarinho and Moroccan Abderraz- zaq took their respective tournament tallies to four goals. KEITA FOCUS Lamouchi will now look to Mali inter- national Keita to help El Jaish reverse a trend of two successive home wins in the continental competition. “Before we talk about Seydou Keita, I want to remind you that he is here because Hamedallah is injured,” added Lamouchi. “I want to wish him well and we are waiting for him to return. “It will be Seydou’s fi rst offi cial game. We need his experience for to- morrow and in the Qatar Star League. Of course he’s a big name and hope- fully he will do well.” Captain Mohammad Abdurahman, meanwhile, is looking for his team to maintain their form as El Jaish aim to become the fi rst Qatari side to reach the last four since Al Sadd in 2011. “It’s a great opportunity to do well at Asian level. We will try hard to please El Jaish coach Sabri Lamouchi (L) and Al Nasr coach Ivan Giovanovits during the pre-match press conference yesterday ahead of their AFC Champions League quarterfinal tie. PICTURES: Anas Khalid our fans.” AFC enced former Barcelona midfi elder Doha Seydou Keita, the Frenchman will be AFC Champions League Record A star for his national team as well nique and is a danger from set-pieces. unable to call on the injured four-goal Appearances: 26 Goals: 4 as his club side, with the FIFA 2018 hitman Hamedallah Abderrazzaq. World Cup Qualifiers due to kick-off in THE ONES TO WATCH oach Sabri Lamouchi insists “Nobody could have imagined El Uzbekistan forward Sardor Rashidov September Rashidov could well be in With Morocco striker Abderrazzaq El Jaish are well prepared for Jaish would be in this position,” said has enjoyed his best AFC Champions for busy few months ahead. Hamedallah suff ering a knee injury, the AFC Champions League Lamouchi. League campaign to date, justifying the onus may well be on Brazilian quarter-fi nal fi rst leg against “Of course it won’t be an easy game, his move from Bunyodkor to Qatari IMPORTANCE TO TEAM forward Romarinho to provide the Cthe United Arab Emirates’ Al Nasr at but we have been training in the United side El Jaish last year. A goalscorer, as well as a creator, goals and his brace in the Round of Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium today. Arab Emirates for three weeks and we Now in his sixth continental campaign, Rashidov netted nine times in 23 16 against Lekhwiya suggests he can The Qatari side are making their fi rst are happy to play this game. despite only recently turning 25, Rashidov scored the only goal in the appearances in the 2015-16 domestic bear that mantle. ever appearance in the last eight of the “I feel the pressure for all the games, Rashidov has never made it further Group Stage win against Nasaf whilst campaign for El Jaish as they finished In midfield, El Jaish have both Qatari continental competition, after seeing but we always play to win and the play- than the last 16 and so will be doubly- also firing home in the Round of 16 runners-up to Al Rayyan. youth and experience in 2014 AFC off countrymen Lekhwiya 6-4 on ag- ers know that. We have the determina- determined to keep El Jaish’s Asian second leg meeting with Lekhwiya Direct on the ball, and boasting height, U-19 Championship MVP Ahmed gregate in the last 16. tion; I prefer to play the fi rst leg away, adventure alive during the quarter- as El Jaish defeated their Qatar Stars strength and pace, the left-footed Moein and striker Magid Mohamed And while Lamouchi has added to but we are ready for this.” final stage and beyond. League rival 6-4 on aggregate. Rashidov also possesses good tech- who has over 75 international caps. his squad by bringing in the experi- El Jaish had earlier qualifi ed for the Rashidov Sardor player: Key El Jaish AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE Qatar Airways makes foray into AFL with a three-year sponsorship deal with Sydney Swans Agencies tive Offi cer, Akbar al-Baker said: “Qa- said, “Qatar Airways is a global brand “Qatar Airways has long sup- Sydney tar Airways has long supported some of and leader in international air travel, so ported some of the best sports the best sports clubs and events in the we’re delighted to have them join the clubs and events in the world. world. We strongly believe in connect- Sydney Swans as our Offi cial Interna- We strongly believe in connect- atar Airways has marked its ing with our global travellers through tional Airline Partner. ing with our global travellers fi rst foray into the Australian their passion for sport, and have been “Both organisations share a common through their passion for sport, Football League (AFL) with looking for the right partner for Qatar goal in that we are passionate about de- and have been looking for the a three-year sponsorship of Airways in Australia’s sports arena. livering premium experiences and strive right partner for Qatar Airways in Qthe Sydney Swans, signing with the “Since we fi rst started serving Aus- for excellence in everything we do. This Australia’s sports arena” team until the end of the 2019 season. tralia in 2009, Qatar Airways has re- is a signifi cant partnership for our foot- The multiple-award winning carrier ceived tremendous support from the ball club and, as the airline’s own brand day experience at the Sydney Cricket was named Offi cial International Air- Australian community. This partner- message suggests, we’re excited to be go- Ground in the seasons to come. line Partner earlier today at the iconic ship with Sydney Swans, one of the ing places together. We look forward to The Sydney Swans sponsorship Sydney Cricket Ground, home of the country’s best-supported and most welcoming Qatar Airways to our Sydney marks a new milestone for Qatar Air- Sydney Swans. Offi cials in attendance elite sporting teams, is a refl ection of Swans family and working with them in ways in Australia. The airline has dou- included: Qatar Airways Country Man- our ongoing commitment to Austral- the years to come.” bled its footprint in Australia in 2016, ager for Australasia, Adam Radwanski, ia. We look forward to sharing in our As part of the sponsorship deal, Qatar with Sydney and Adelaide joining its Sydney Swans Chairman Andrew Prid- travellers’ love for football, supporting Airways will receive prominent brand- global network in March and May re- ham, Chief Executive and Managing their commitment to the Sydney Swans ing at the Sydney Swans’ home games spectively, joining Perth and Melbourne Director Andrew Ireland; Coach John and in building an even stronger brand and training ground, and will engage on the Qatar Airways map. Australian Longmire, Co-captain Kieren Jack and connection with our Australian market the players in exclusive marketing and travellers can now go more places with members of the Sydney Swans team. through this multi-year partnership.” promotional activities. Supporters can Qatar Airways than with any other air- Qatar Airways Group Chief Execu- Sydney Swans chairman Pridham also look forward to an enhanced match line serving Australia today. Gulf Times 2 Wednesday, August 24, 2016 FOOTBALL PREVIEW REINFORCEMENTS Guardiola confi rms Bravo on his way to Reborn Sterling replace Hart leads Man City’s C’League charge ‘Obviously he’s been criticised a lot in the last year, but the way he’s responding is Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola during training. great. He’s a great player. These things happen. Footballers have ups and downs’ AFP football,” said Guardiola who was Manchester photographed talking to Hart dur- ing training ahead of City’s Cham- pions League qualifying tie with ep Guardiola insisted Steaua Bucharest today. yesterday that he will “So I can’t deny what every- continue working with body knows. Barcelona, seven to Joe Hart at Manchester 10 days ago, were the fi rst ones PCity, even as Barcelona goal- to announce contact with Man- keeper Claudio Bravo fl ew in to chester City. But I’m sorry guys, replace the unwanted England until the deal is complete or not international. complete (I can’t speak), but at Hart has been the most high- the moment the player (Bravo) profi le victim of Guardiola’s new is not our player,” Guardiola also reign as manager of the Premier told reporters. League club, with the City boss “Until August 31, all the play- publicly announcing his prefer- ers here are my players, and I will ence for a goalkeeper who can play work with them like there is no better with the ball at his feet.