Sport MONDAY 19 JULY 2021 MorikawaM clinches British Open title ThisT is by far one of the best moments of my life. Look at all ththese fans, let’s hear it for you guys. To see some of the best crowdsc I have ever seen I’m looking forward to making my trtrip every year to the British Open. Collin Morikawa Sport | 14 TOUR DE FRANCE: FINAL STANDINGS 1. Tadej Pogacar 82h 56' 36", 2. Jonas Vingegaard +00.05.20, 3. Richard Carapaz +00.07.03 Qatar crush Grenada 4-0 to seal first Gold Cup win THE PENINSULA – HOUSTON, TEXAS Sanchez lauds players Asian champions Qatar clinched their maiden victory THE PENINSULA – HOUSTON, TEXAS at Concacaf Gold Cup in style, thrashing Grenada 4-0 in their Coach Felix Sanchez expressed satisfaction after Qatar beat Grenada second Group D match in 4-0 in their Group D match at Concacaf Gold Cup. Houston, yesterday. Abdulaziz Hatem (11), Akram Afif (22), Mohammed Muntari (36) Following a thrilling 3-3 and Ahmed Ali (46) were on target as Qatar dominated ball possession draw against Panama in their at 64 per cent against Grenada. debut match last week, the “First, I am happy with the strong reaction of the players in our Felix Sanchez-coached side second match after we drew against Panama,” Sanchez said at a virtual came back to action with all press conference.e. “WinningWinning this match makes me happy.happy. We have guns blazing, scoring three achieved our target.get. I was confidentconfident thatthat we wouwouldld ddoo our bbestest againsagainstt goals in the first half and Grenada,” Sanchezhez said. adding another in the final With the win,n, Qatar improvedimproved to fourfour points session to seal a thumping heading into theirir finalfinal groupgroup matchmatch againstagainst Hon-Hon- victory. duras. Grenada wwillill ddepartepart Houston fforor OrOrlandolando With the win, Qatar Mohammed Muntari (left) celebrates with team-mate Abdelkarim Hassan after scoring Qatar's and look for theirir firstfirst GoldGold Cup win or drawdraw climbed to second spot in the third goal against Grenada, yesterday. against Panama. group with 4 points, with Hon- “We played wellwell as we controcontrolledlled thethe matchmatch duras on top after recording and took possessionssionss of the ball more. We two victories in as many the 22nd minute. It was Afif’s again delivered a dangerous connected with a powerful created a lot of chances,hances, scoring fourfour goals.goals. matches. Both the teams will second goal of the tournament ball across goal. Abdullah Al shot but was denied by the I am satisfied withth what the playersplayers did face off in their final group after he scored against AhrakAAhh rrak postpoosstt inin thetthhe 82nd82ndd minute.mini uutee.. in the match,” Sanchezanchc ez said.said. clash on July 21 to kick off at Panama. Miguel,MMiigguuelel, whowwhho waswaw s inin finefine When asked aboutabout thethe injuries suf-suf- 4am, Qatar time. The Maroons made it 3-0, touchtotouucch yesterday,yeestterrdday, createdcrreaattede anan fered by Bualemm KhoukhiKhoukhi andand TarekTarek Yesterday, Qatar, who nine minutes before halftime opportunityooppppoorrtuunnitty forffor himselfhiimmsseellf latelalatete Salman, Sanchezz said:said: “I will talk about started in a dominant fashion, with Mohammed Muntari intoininttoo tthehhee mmatchatatchch bbutut hhisiss aattempttttteme pt Boualem first. HeHe couldcould havehave con-con- didn’t have to wait for long for heading the ball from a close wentwweenntt widewidide asa QQatarattarar walkedwalalkek d tinued playing afteraftter sufferingsuffering a their opening goal as Abdelaziz range following a corner kick. awayaawwaayy withwiith a coccommandingmmmannddingng slight injury at thee beginningbeginning ofof thethe Hatem put them ahead with a The Asian champions con- victory.vvicttororyy. match, but we preferredreferred to take him out right-footed finish in 11th tinued their impressive run in to be present in thethe next decisive match minute. Abdelkarim Hassan the second half and got their against Honduras.s. HisHis injuryinjury is not serious. assisted in the goal with a cross fourth goal through Almoez Ali About Tariq Salman,man, we are waitingwaiting forfor as Hatem hit the ball past in the 46th minute. The play the full medical rreporteport to kknownow tthehe extent Grenada goalkeeper Jason came from a right wing cross of the injury.” Belfon. across the box from right back When asked aaboutbout ttheirheir opponent in Such was Qatar’s per- Pedro Miguel. Ali came close the quarter-finals,nals, Qatar’s coachcoach saisaid:d: formance yesterday that to scoring again in the 58th “It is too early toto talktalk aboutabout thisthis point Belfon had to make 17 saves minute but was denied by because we haveave not yyetet gguaranteeduaranteed on the day getting no respite Grenadian defender Aaron our path to thehe next round.round. In from the Asian giants. Pierre. general, whoeverver qualifiesqualifies After their opening goal, Qatar created more from this group willwill playplay Qatar were in full control of chances with Almoez and Afif with Mexico, theheh mostmost the match, doubling their lead coming close to scoring again crowned in the champi-chaampi- from a sensational goal from but a busy Belfon stopped onship. They haveave veryvery Akram Afif. The feared Qatari further damage for Grenada. skilful players andnd expe-expe- Felix striker struck a brilliant curl Miguel nearly had another rience of playingyingn in Almoez Ali celebrates after scoring Qatar's fourth goal. Sanchez shot from outside the box in assist on the day as he once Europe.” Gauff tests Al Buenain visits Team Qatar accommodation at Olympic Village positive for COVID-19, to Cherif, Tijan arrive in Tokyo as Tala begins training THE PENINSULA – TOKYO on World No 5 Jacob Gibb and miss Tokyo Taylor Crabb of the United The Qatar Olympic Committee States, World No 18 Adrian Games (QOC) Secretary General Carambula and Enrico Rossi of Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain Italy and World No 19 Adrian REUTERS – TOKYO yesterday visited Team Qatar Heidrich and Mirco Gerson of accommodation at the Switzerland. American tennis player Coco Olympic Village of the Tokyo The Qatari duo will begin Gauff (pictured) will miss the 2020 Summer Olympic their campaign in the Olympics Tokyo Olympics after testing Games. on July 25 with a match against positive for COVID-19, the Satisfied with the arrange- Adrian Heidrich and Mirco 17-year-old said yesterday. ments, Al Buenain appreciated Gerson of Switzerland. “I’m disappointed to share the administrative delegation’s The beach volleyball com- the news that I have tested efforts in providing safe envi- petitions will be held at positive for COVID and won’t ronment for Team Qatar ath- Shiokazi Park Stadium. be able to play in the Olympic letes at this global sports event Games in Tokyo,” world affected by the COVID-19 Tala begins number 25 Gauff said on pandemic. preparations Twitter. Also yesterday, Ahmed Qatar’s rower Tala Abu- “It has always been a Yousef Al Darwish, Team jbara began her training ses- dream of mine to represent Qatar’s Deputy Chef de Mission sions in Tokyo Olympic waters. the USA at the Olympics, and stressed that administrative Tala secured her spot in Tokyo I hope there will be many delegation will leave no stone Olympics after clocking a time more chances for me to make unturned to help the Qatari of 8:20 minutes at Asia and this come true in the future.” athletes perform to their full Oceania Rowing Qualification The announcement by potentials and do our nation The Secretary-General of the Qatar Olympic Committee, Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain, posing for Championship in Kuwait. Gauff, who last competed at proud. a photograph with Qatari officials during a visit to the Athletes' Village in Tokyo, Japan, yesterday. Tala claimed the gold Wimbledon where she lost in medal of the 2016 GCC Rowing the last 16, comes two days Cherif, Tijan arrive in beach volleyball team arrived The delegation is headed by Kuwari. Qatar’s Cherif You- Championships in Doha and after Australian tennis player Tokyo in Tokyo yesterday to partic- President of Qatar Volleyball nousse and Ahmed Tijan were the bronze medal of the 2017 Alex de Minaur tested positive On the other hand, Qatar’s ipate in the Games. Association Ali bin Ghanem Al drawn in Pool C and will take Arab Rowing Championships for COVID-19 prior to his in Tunisia. departure for the Tokyo Based in the city of Olympics. Takasaki, the Qatar track and field stars also continued their training for the third consec- utive day. Meanwhile, Team Qatar’s Media delegation visited Tokyo Media Centre yesterday. Abdulhadi Al Sahli, Head of Team Qatar’s Media delegation said that the visit will help the Qatari media personnel provide the best media cov- erage for Tokyo Olympics. The Tokyo Games, pushed Qatar’s rower Tala Abujbara in action during a training session at the Sea Forest Waterway in Tokyo, Japan, yesterday. Tala back by a year due to the will compete in the Women's Single Skulls heats on July 23. COVID-19 pandemic, will begin on Friday. MONDAY 19 JULY 2021 SPORT 15 Pogacar wins second consecutive Tour de France title REUTERS — PARIS The UAE Emirates rider favourites for the road race in this year’s Tour. Belgian also won the white jersey for next Saturday. Jasper Philipsen was second Slovenian Tadej Pogacar the best Under-25 rider and After a processional ride ahead of third-placed Cav- claimed a second successive the polka-dot jersey for the to Paris, multiple attacks took endish, who wins the green Tour de France title after mountains classification after place in the eight laps around jersey for the points classifi- yesterday’s 21st and final a dominant performance the finishing line on the cation for the second time, stage, which was won by throughout.