Sport SATURDAY 27 MARCH 2021 Barty overcomes match point for win in Miami Matches like that are extremely fulfilling, knowing you’ve done the work over an extended period to get just over the edge. That was a really tough one today, and I enjoyed every single second of it. Ash Barty Sport | 14 Australian tennis star QATAR 2022: EUROPEAN QUALIFIERS Sweden 1-0 Georgia, Spain 1-1 Greece, Italy 2-0 N Ireland, England 5-0 San Marino, Germany 3-0 Iceland The Peregrines stun Al Rayyan 2-0 in final to win first crown in club history Al Sailiya clinch Ooredoo Cup title FAWAD HUSSAIN THE PENINSULA We played to win. Our Al Sailiya yesterday made ambitions were high before history when they stunned pre- the final and that culminated final favourites Al Rayyan 2-0 to win the Ooredoo Cup, lifting in our victory. Players showed their first-ever major title. a very good level against Al Serigne Mbodji (45+2) Rayyan and I am very happy. scored the opening goal with a After this historic victory, we stunning header, with Iraqi star aim to win more events in the Mohanad Ali (90th minute) rounding off the victory for Al future: Al Sailiya coach Sami Sailiya after coming off the Trabelsi bench at the Al Sadd Stadium. The triumph is nothing short of a dream for the Peregrines, Nadir Belhadj’s kick with a who have struggled in the header by evading his marker season, and are currently on to earn lead for Al Sailiya, just eighth position in the QNB Stars before the half-time whistle. League (QSL). Al Rayyan, trailing by a goal, Interestingly, the Sami produced a better show in Trabelsi-coached side reached second half making several the Ooredoo Cup final as their attacks but Al Sailiya were also 0-3 defeat to Al Wakrah in the impressive in defending semi-final was reversed by the yesterday. Disciplinary Committee of Al Sailiya thwarted an attack Qatar Football Association, after in 63rd minute when Abdul- they won an appeal over ineli- Al Sailiya's players and officials celebrate with the trophy. rahman Al Harazi lofted the ball gibility of a Blue Wave player. towards Ali Ferydoon, who Yesterday, Al Sailiya, headed on target from a close knowing the might of Al Rayyan final and that culminated in our command of the match. range, but Amine made a superb started with an aggressive victory,” an ecstatic Trabelsi However, the Lions made the save. Amine, later, also blocked approach, which paid them the said after Al Sailiya lifted their first attack after Ali Ferydoon an attempt by Al Rayyan captain dividend as The Lions never maiden Qatar top flight trophy won a free-kick near the box, Yacine Brahimi, 15 minutes looked at their best in the title in club's 25-year history. but the danger was averted by before time. clash. “Players showed a very Al Sailiya in the fourth minute. The Lions, desperate to “We played to win. Our good level against Al Rayyan The Peregrines came close make a comeback in the final, ambitions were high before the and I am very happy. After this to scoring in the 10th minute were going all out for an historic victory, we aim to win when Tiago Bezerra found Rami equaliser and Mohanad Ali more events in the future,” he Fayez with a cross but the lat- exploited the situation, blasting added. ter’s attempt was far from the a goal in last minute with a We are very happy with this While fans were not allowed goal. clinical strike from the edge of to attend the final due to Al Sailiya continued to raise the box to seize win for Al victory. It is a memorable win increasing coronavirus cases, their level while Al Rayyan edge of the box but Al Sailiya expected it as the goal came fol- Sailiya. for Al Sailiya and we would both the teams still produced looked to keep the ball pos- keeper Claude Amine, who was lowing a free-kick 25 yards “We are very happy with like to dedicate this victory to thrilling display of football in session, looking to find gaps. impressive throughout the final outside the box. this victory. It is a memorable all our fans: Mohanad Ali both the halves. Franck Kom launched a yesterday, blocked the attempt. Senegalese Mbodji placed win for Al Sailiya and we would Al Sailiya started well and dangerous attack from Al The Peregrines struck the himself in a perfect position like to dedicate this victory to didn’t let Al Rayyan take Rayyan, firing on target from opener when Al Rayyan least near the goal and connected all our fans,” said Mohanad Ali. Coach Sanchez wants more speed from Injured Rashford, players as Qatar take on Azerbaijan Saka out of THE PENINSULA – DREBECEN happy that coach Sanchez England’s trusted him by recalling him for Qatar will be looking for back- the role of goalkeeper. qualifiers to-back wins on European soil "We have a large number of but with a cautious approach goalkeeper options. All of them when they take on Azerbaijan have presented a remarkable REUTERS – LONDON in their second European Zone level of talent, and many of them FIFA World Cup 2022 qualifier deserved to be in the national England will be without today. team. I think that those currently striker Marcus Rashford Qatar coach Felix Sanchez present have a very good level, and winger Bukayo Saka yesterday urged his players to there is an honourable fraternal for their World Cup qual- show more speed against the competition between the goal- ifiers against Albania and Europeans. keepers now," Al Dossari said. Poland due to injury, the The reigning Asian cham- Qatar, the hosts of the FIFA FA said yesterday. pions won their opening match spectacle next year, have already Rashford missed the against Luxembourg 1-0 on booked their place in the World 5-0 win over San Marino Wednesday at the Nagyerdei Cup, but were invited by UEFA at Wembley on Thursday Stadium in Debrecen, Hungary, as a guest nation to take part in after joing the England where Qatar play their 'home' the European qualifiers. camp with a foot problem matches during the first stage Qatar will try to use the and will continue his reha- of the European qualifiers. Qatar coach Felix Sanchez (centre) and Al opportunity of playing against bilitation with his club Azerbaijan are ranked 108th Sadd goalkeeper Saad Al Dossari (right) top European nations as they Manchester United, the FA on the FIFA computer while during the press conference, yesterday. fine tune their preparations for added in a statement. Qatar are placed at the 58th the World Cup. Arsenal’s Saka spot, but Sanchez yesterday Their matches against remained at the London warned his players to be ready press conference yesterday. pace of the opponents. Gen- will try to rotate the players for Group A rival will not count club for further assessment for a tough battle against a "We need to be at our best erally teams in Europe play with the next two games. towards qualifying and will be on a hamstring issue and strong opponent. to be able to compete against good pace and high quality and “We will wait till final labelled as friendlies. will now also miss the On Wednesday, Azerbaijan them,” the Spaniard added. we have to adapt to that. It’s a training session before final- After the Azerbaijan Group I games in Albania went down fighting to European Sanchez was happy about new thing for us, which we ising the team. All players are encounter, Qatar take on on Sunday and at home to champions Portugal at the cost Qatar's win in the opening don’t see in the Qatar Stars available for the game. There finish their European sojourn Poland on Wednesday. of an own goal. match against Luxembourg, but League. But we need to adapt will be some changes in the against the Republic of Ireland Dominic Calvert- “Azerbaijan are a physical pointed put that there is plenty and gain experience. If we want playing eleven,” he said. on March 30. Qatar will return Lewin scored twice and team and they play with a high of room to improve. to compete at this level, we’ve Meanwhile, Al Sadd star Saad in September to take on Ollie Watkins marked his pace. They are a hard-working "Against Luxembourg we to do it fast. Otherwise it’s going Al Dossari who made his return European champions Portugal debut with a goal in Eng- and talented side too," started strongly but at many to be difficult,” Sanchez said. to the squad following an injury and Serbia – the two other land's win at Wembley. Sanchez said during a virtual moments struggled to match the Sanchez also hinted that he lay-off, yesterday said that he is teams in Group A. SATURDAY 27 MARCH 2021 SPORT 15 MotoGP: Miller leads Ducati 1-2 in FP2 MOTOGP FP2 MOTOGP – DOHA Ducati Lenovo Team’s rider Jack Miller in 1 Jack Miller 1'53.387 action during the MotoGP 2nd Free Practice Day 1 of MotoGP action in 2021 2 Francesco Bagnaia +0.035 ahead of the Barwa Grand Prix of Qatar at 3 Fabio Quartararo +0.188 is in the history books and the Losail International Circuit yesterday. leading the way yesterday at the 4 Johann Zarco +0.199 Barwa Grand Prix of Qatar was 5 Alex Rins +0.236 Ducati Lenovo Team’s Jack 6 Maverick Viñales +0.252 Miller.