GOLF | Page 8 CRICKET | Page 11 Stenson is Ashwin’s lights To Advertise here 2016 Euro up path for Call: 444 11 300, 444 66 621 Tour golfer India’s spell of of the year dominance Wednesday, December 14, 2016 FOOTBALL Rabia 1 15, 1438 AH Berry sweet for GULF TIMES Ronaldo ahead of Japan job SPORT Page 5 SPOTLIGHT Where hearts were won & the score didn’t matter It was all about entertainment and thrills as a vociferous crowd enjoyed watching the legendary Barcelona in action By Sahan Bidappa Doha Messi makes young Murtaza’s dream come true in Qatar When Murtaza Ahmadi stepped off the ntertainment was in abundance plane at Hamad International Airport at the Al Gharafa stadium last following his journey from Afghanistan, night, as Barcelona and Al Ahli the six-year-old boy asked his father provided enough thrills for the Mohammed a single question: ‘Where Eraucous crowd that fi lled the stands. is the house of Messi?’ Billed as the ‘Match of Champions’, The football-crazy youngster had made the friendly encounter between Bar- the special journey to Qatar to meet his celona and Al Ahli had everything one FC Barcelona hero. Images of him wear- could have asked for — stars, goals and ing a plastic bag of Argentinian national an atmosphere that was nothing short colours with Messi written on the back of electrifying. had gone viral on social media earlier The fi nal scoreline was in favour of this year. Subsequently, the ‘Albiceleste’ Barcelona, the Spanish giants register- (white and sky blue) superstar had sent ing a comfortable 5-3 win over Saudi young Murtaza a signed jersey and A handout picture released by Qatar’s Supreme Committee for Delivery and champions Al Ahli, to clinch the Qatar football, and promised to meet him in Legacy shows Barcelona’s Argentinian forward Lionel Messi (C-L) holding Airways Cup trophy, cast in 18-carat person when the chance arose. six-year-old Afghan boy Murtaza Ahmadi (C-R) in Doha yesterday. gold. But none at the stadium cared for The Supreme Committee for Delivery & result on the night! Legacy (SC) was inspired by the story a large embrace from his hero, who and had dreams, and in Qatar many of Both the teams received equal sup- Qatar Airways CEO Akbar al-Baker (L) hands over the trophy to Barcelona of the small boy and his dream, and held him in his arms as the Barcelona us still have them. port, with Al Ahli fans making their captain Andres Iniesta yesterday. PIC: Noushad Thekkayil decided to try and find him to give him team gathered behind him. “Murtaza’s dream was to meet his hero. presence felt, having crossed the bor- the chance of meeting his hero. Murtaza said after his meeting with We are in a fortunate position here that der to watch their stars in action. team’s players stood arms around each er al-Mosailem. On 13 December, that day arrived. Mur- Messi: “I’m very happy to have met my we were able to bring them together. All eyes were, of course, on Lionel other, waiting for the kick-off . Messi himself added Barcelona’s taza finally got the chance to hold his hero. It is a dream for me. I can’t wait to It’s about a kid and his dream. That’s it. Messi, the Barcelona captain, drew a Ahmadi at the moment drew peals of second two minutes later, as he slotted hero’s hand and got a giant hug from see Messi at the game, it will be the first That pretty much sums up the power huge roar from the offi cial attendance laughter from the players and specta- home through his left foot from just Messi on the morning of the ‘Match of time for me in the stadium.” of football. of 18, 126 spectators, every time he tors, when he ran straight to Messi as outside the box. The ‘MSN’ show was Champions’ game between Barcelona Yesterday evening, Murtaza was “We were struck by his story from the touched the ball. he held his idol’s hand, making him- complete with just 16 minutes into the and Al Ahli yesterday. selected as one of the player escorts beginning, and are delighted that we There was a special moment ahead self the 12th man of Barcelona. Ahmadi match as Neymar latched on to a pass As the Barcelona players walked past to walk out onto the pitch with his idol, made the meeting happen. of the match, involving Messi and a had to be persuaded off the pitch by from Rafi nha, as the Brazilian forward him on the way to a meeting room at providing another memory of a lifetime @The story is symbolic of our belief six-year-old Afghan boy Murtaza Ah- Messi, even as referee Fahad Jaber al- found the net. the team hotel, Murtaza spotted Messi for him on his trip to Doha. that football can change lives for the madi, which showed the essence of Marri carried him over the line. It was a Al Ahli players were shell-shocked and reached out a hand, which the Ar- An SC spokesperson said: “It was inspi- better, and inspire youngsters from why the match is being played. nice little moment that will stay in the but found their feet as tempo of the gentina superstar held with a big smile. rational to meet Murtaza, and see him across our region and beyond.” Earlier this year in January, Ahmadi memory forever. match slowed down. The Saudi team’s A few moments later, Murtaza received fulfil his dream. We were all kids once (sc.qa) became an online hit after wearing a As the action began on the pitch, captain Taisir al-Jassim wasted few homemade striped blue plastic bag the famed ‘MSN’ trio took little time opportunities to open his team’s ac- shirt bearing Messi’s famous number in producing some sublime skills. The count, often shooting wide of the post. Alcacer, Arda Turan, Denis Suarez and celona goalkeeper Jordi Masip, who Abdulrahman is the current Asian 10. The video had become so popular fearsome strike trio of Messi, Luis Barca’s frontline threatened to score Samuel Umtit took the fi eld. replaced Jasper Cillessen at half-time, player of the year and is popularly that he ended up receiving a signed Suarez and Neymar scored a goal each a couple of times, but Al Ahli’s back As the nerves seemed to settle down, brought down Mohammad Aman in known as Amoory. shirt from the Barcelona striker. as Barcelona took a 3-0 lead in just the managed to thwart the threat. In the Al Ahli was more comfortable with the box and referee al-Marri was quick Barça increased their advantage in After having spent a considerable 16th minute. 31st minute, they were handed a re- ball, the Saudi team’s passing more to point to the spot. the 55th minute as Alcacer scored his time with Messi off the pitch, little The fi rst one came through Suarez in prieve after Barcelona coach Luis En- accurate and they had possession too. Al Ain and UAE star Omar Abdulra- fi rst goal for the club. Rafi nha made it Ahmadi was the mascot for last night’s the eighth minute. Messi played a de- rique substituted Messi, Suarez, Ney- However, the goal eluded them as they haman, playing for Al Ahli as a invitee, 5-1 in the 58th minute. match. Having walked on to the pitch licious scoop to the centre of the box, mar and defender Gerard Pique. trailed 0-3 at half-time. took the penalty and in the most non- The Saudi side, scored two more goals with Messi, Ahmadi placed the ball which Suarez managed to brush his The crowd stood on their feet to give Post the interval, Al Ahli took just chalant fashion dinked the ball down through Muhannad Assiri, the substitute on the centre of the pitch as both the shoulder past Al Ahli goalkeeper Yass- them the standing ovation as the Paco six minutes to open their account. Bar- the middle of the goal to make it 3-1. fi nding the net in the 61st and 65th minute. Gulf Times 2 Wednesday, December 14, 2016 SNAPSHOTS FAN CORNER WHEN BARCA CAME TO TOWN... Barcelona’s Luis Suarez (R) and Neymar celebrate after a goal during the match against Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ahli FC yesterday. PICS: Shemeer Rasheed & Agencies Referee Fahad Jaber al-Marri carries Murtaza Ahmadi off the pitch as Messi looks on. Al-Ahli’s Omar Abdulrahman in action yesterday. FC Barcelona head coach Luis Enrique Martinez (C) ahead of the match yesterday. Artists perform during the opening ceremony yesterday. Gulf Times Wednesday, December 14, 2016 3 FOOTBALL SPOTLIGHT CLEARING THE AIR I’ve always refused alcohol, says Toure Guardiola keen on aft er accepting drink-driving charge Reuters attacking play London anchester City mid- fi elder Yaya Toure admitted yesterday to being over the Mlegal limit following a drink- driving conviction but had no despite the slump explanation for the reading af- ter saying he does not consume alcohol because of his religious ‘We are going to play the way I feel, making mistakes, but I cannot do something I beliefs. Toure was arrested in Lon- don’t feel. The reason why I’m here is to help them to not make mistakes’ don on Nov. 28 and was given an 18-month ban and an income- related fi ne of 54,000 pounds This file photo shows Man City ($68,600) at Barkingside Magis- midfielder Yaya Toure.