SPORT Tuesday 30 January 2018 PAGE | 28-29 PAGE | 30 PAGE | 32 Neymar left to Woods passes Evergreen Federer step out of Messi’s comeback test with planning Melbournene shadow, says Alves flying colours return in 2019 Al Gharafa eye place in ACL main draw THE PENINSULA DOHA: Al Gharafa, placed sixth in the QNB Stars League standings, will host Uzbekistan side Pakhtakor in the AFC Champions League (ACL) one-off play-off today. The kick-off is at 8.00pm. If Al Gharafa win, they will be clubbed in Group A, which also com- prises the UAE’s Al Jazira, Paris Saint-Germain players celebrate after scoring against Espérance de Tunis during the first semi-final of the Al Kass 2018 Tournament at the Aspire Training Pitch Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli and in Doha yesterday. PSG beat the Tunisian side 4-2. Iran’s Tractorsasi. Qualifying for the tournament proper after a gap of many seasons, if it happens, will surely delight The Cheetahs’ Al Kass Cup: Gutsy PSG down fans. In fact, Al Gharafa ended their title drought of five seasons only recently when they lifted the QSL Cup, defeating Al Espérance to storm into final Rayyan in the final. Turkish coach Bulent THE PENINSULA Paris Saint-Germain and three-goal cushion with the first Uygun, who replaced Espérance de Tunis players attack of the half. Frenchman Jean Fernan- DOHA: Paris Saint-Germain vie for the ball possession Adil Aouchiche set off an a dez before the start of (PSG) colts advanced to the final during the first semi-final of marauding run from his own QNB Stars League’s sec- of Al Kass 2018 after overcom- the Al Kass 2018 Tournament half, dancing past several chal- ond phase, is intensely ing a stern examination set by at the Aspire Training Pitch in lenges and spraying the ball out putting his wards through Espérance de Tunis, and prevail- Doha yesterday. left to Ruben Providence, before their paces ahead of the ing by four goals to two advancing into the area and get- game. yesterday. ting on the end of a low cross to Al Gharafa had In the early stages of the finish from six yards out. It was strengthened the squad semi-final clash, the Tunis side a goal worthy of the grandest in the January transfer worked tirelessly to knock PSG stages. window by roping in out of their stride and disrupt Then, in the 68th minute, Dutch midfield great the French youngsters’ slick Tunis were once again back in Wesley Sneijder and Ira- passing game. The tactic was the game. There seemed to be nian striker Mehdi largely successful, with few little danger as PSG centre back Taremi, also keeping in clear chances created in the Soh attempted to shepherd the mind the premier Asian opening period. ball out for a goal kick on the competition. But on the 15th minute, PSG right, until his pocket was picked Qatar’s Al Duhail, Al went in front after a corner from by the tenacious Farouk Sadd and Al Rayyan had the right was not dealt with and, Mimouni, who cut back from the qualified directly for the in the ensuing melee, captain byline before firing low into the group stage. Loic Mbe Soh turned the ball in far corner. In their previous from close range. Tunis poured forward in meetings, the two teams The lead was doubled within numbers in search of a third goal have been almost equally a minute, after a rapid move that would set up a nailbiting impressive. During the down the PSG left. Tunis keeper to retain their composure. And, later. PSG keeper Yanis Saidani Tunisians’ physical approach finale, but there was to be no fur- 2008 AFC Champions Fares Jebali was quickly off his on the 28th minute, they were received a backpass under no occasionally strayed beyond fair ther reward for their persistence, League Group Stage, the line to snuff out the danger, but three down. PSG worked the ball pressure, but his attempted play and, on 41 minutes, midfield as PSG held out for a merited two teams were involved the ball escaped his grasp and well out to the left, and Tanguy clearance was cut out by Zied hardman Wael Dhouibi’s wild victory. in a two-all draw and was cleared directly into the path Coulibaly supplied a low, teas- Berrima on the right of the area. lunge at Soh earned a well- Having won the inaugural later, at the Group Stage, of the onrushing Arthur Zagre, ing cross that forward Alexandre He squared for captain Mobtas- deserved yellow card, marking tournament in 2012, and again Pakhtakor won 2-0. who needed no second invita- Fressange met with a first time sar Triki to pass into an open the final significant act of a triumphed in 2015, the young In the Round of 16 in tion to rifle home. shot into the near corner. goal. breathtaking first half. Parisians are chasing a unique 2010, Al Gharafa took the From a position of relative Tunis looked dead and bur- It was now PSG’s turn to feel There was no let up as the hat-trick. After this accom- revenge by beating comfort, a shell-shocked ied, only to be handed an the pressure as Espérance second period got underway, plished performance, few would Pakhtakor 1-0. Espérance were now struggling improbable lifeline five minutes mounted a series of attacks. The and PSG re-established their rule out their chances. Ali Assad eyes QSL title with Al Sadd THE PENINSULA as we had won the season- Al Rayyan in the first phase, so adversely affected the team in opening Sheikh Jassim Cup. we’ll seek to compensate for that the first phase. He’s a unique DOHA: Al Sadd midfielder Ali We’re competing hard in the in the coming weeks. striker and fierce scorer. How- Assad (pictured) said that his QNB Stars League and want to Al Sadd are gearing up for ever, coach succeeded in team is in pursuit of the QNB fare well in the cup competitions their Week 15 match against Our ambitions for making up for it to a large Stars League (QSL) title despite and also AFC Champions Qatar SC on Saturday. The the league title are extent,” he said. being ranked second in the League.” Wolves will surely seek to col- Al Sadd are coming off huge standings. Assad also noted that the lect full points from the game in still on. We’ve been wins over Al Sailiya and Al Al Sadd are trailing behind team faced certain difficulties order to catch up with leaders longing for it since Gharafa and Assad said that Al Duhail by just two points and and challenges in the league Al Duhail, while the rivals badly 2012-13: Assad their main aim is three points Xavi Hernendez’s men are chas- such as injuries and they need some positive results to from every game, not the ing for their first QSL crown affected Al Saad negatively dur- avoid relegation. number of goals. since the 2012-13 season. ing the first phase. “It will be a tough game and the services of their Algerian “We promise our fans and “Our ambitions for the He also predicted that the we have to be cautious not to attacking midfielder Jugurtha management that we’ll put our league title are still on. We’ve competition between Al Sadd, miss any points and keep clos- Hamroun who is on suspension best efforts to compete for the been longing for it since 2012- Al Rayyan and Al Duhail in the ing in on the top spot. Al Sadd for Saturday’s away match. league title and do well in the 13,” Assad said during an coming rounds will intensify. are always looking for victories Assad said Hamroun’s AFC Champions League. My interview with QSL Online. “The competition between and we’ll do our best to achieve absence will be felt, but was main ambition is to win the QNB One of the key players of Al these three teams will be intense. it against Qatar SC,” Assad said. positive on coach Jesualdo Fer- Stars League title again with Al Sadd, Assad said: “So far so good We had lost to both Al Duhail and However, Al Sadd will miss reira’s plans. “His absence Sadd,” Assad said. 26 SPORT TUESDAY 30 JANUARY 2018 Bangladesh to face upbeat Sri Lanka in first Test AFP best all-rounder in the world,” Raz- Manager Asanka Gurusinha zak told reporters in Chittagong confirmed that the team would not CHITTAGONG, BANGLADESH: yesterday. “It’s difficult to replace seek a replacement for Mathews. Bangladesh are depending on their him because you need to pick a Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have spin force led by veteran Abdur bowler and batsman in his place and so far played 18 Tests against each Australia’s captain Jason Sangha (right) bats as Afghanistan’s Razzak (pictured) to deliver the still there is no guarantee that they other, with the islanders winning 15 wicketkeeper Ikram Ali Khil reacts during the U19 semi-final opening punch against Sri Lanka in will perform equally good. of them. cricket World Cup match at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, the first of two Tests starting “I will try to play my normal Squads: yesterday. Wednesday. game without trying anything Bangladesh: Mahmudullah Razzaq, 35, was the third spin- extraordinary,” the left-arm spin- Riyad (capt), Tamim Iqbal, Liton ner added to the squad for the ner said.