FOOTBALL | Page 2 GOLF | Page 6 Lukaku scores Winning more as Conte’s Inter important than Milan reign money, says starts in style McIlroy Wednesday, August 28, 2019 CRICKET Dhul-Hijja 27, 1440 AH Former stars hail GULF TIMES ‘awesome’ Ashes third Test victory SPORT Page 4 ANOC WORLD BEACH GAMES Asian champs Qatar in ‘tough’ group for beach handball Qatar coach Khaled Hasan opts to be drawn in Group B with Croatia, Hungary, Spain, Uruguay and Tunisia By Sports Reporter Doha sian champions Qatar have been drawn in a “tough” Group B for the men’s handball com- Apetition in the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) World Beach Games. At the draw held at the Qa- tar Olympic Committee (QOC) headquarters yesterday, the host team’s coach Khaled Hasan opted to be drawn alongside Croatia, Hungary, Spain, Uruguay and Tunisia, to avoid fi ve-time world champions Brazil and current European champion Denmark. “It was a tough draw for us. We had the choice to select the group, but it was not an easy choice to make. I opted for Group B, but I think it will be a tough one as we have to play two big matches on the fi rst day itself and it will not be easy for my ‘B’ team,” Hasan Five-time world beach handball champions Brazil are drawn for Group told Gulf Times after the draw. A in the men’s tournament. “I don’t have my main play- ers for the event as they are busy operation and partnership. With ised by the ANOC and hosted by with the Olympic qualifi ers. We their support and the support of the QOC from October 12 -16 in have been training hard for the the NOCs and all stakeholders in Doha. Games and will give our best. We Qatar we have no doubt that the have a plan to travel to Europe, fi rst-ever ANOC World Beach THE GROUPS most probably Spain, for a train- Games will be a great success.” MEN’S BEACH HANDBALL ing camp soon.” Assistant General Manager for Group A: Brazil, Sweden, Den- However, Qatar Handball As- Operations for Qatar 2019 ANOC mark, Oman, USA and Australia sociation executive director World Beach Games, Khaleel Ib- Group B: Croatia, Hungary, Spain, Yousef al-Hail stressed that the rahim al-Jaber, said that he has Qatar, Uruguay and Tunisia Qatari team’s chances are good. full confi dence in Qatar’s ability The team fi nished third twice to organise the Games in a great WOMEN’S BEACH HANDBALL at the IHF World Men’s Beach manner, especially as Qatar has Group A: Brazil, Denmark, Hun- Handball Championship, and the experience and cadres ready gary, Argentina, USA and Tunisia has won the Asian Men’s Beach to host any sporting event. Group B: Greece, Spain, Poland, Handball Championship fi ve QOC Secretary-General HE Jassim bin Rashid al-Buenain (left), ANOC Secretary-General Gunilla Lindberg (right) spoke at the draw ceremony for He added that all the Qatari China, Australia and Vietnam. times. He said that the absence the handball and football competitions of the ANOC World Beach Games yesterday. PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil teams, whether in team or indi- of some players will not be an vidual games, have been prepar- MEN’S BEACH SOCCER obstacle to the team, which in- den, Denmark, Oman, USA and rocco, while Group B has Italy, al-Buenain welcomed all the would like to express our grati- ing well for the tournament for Group A: Brazil Switzerland, UAE cludes great members and is able Australia in Group A. Spain, Mexico and Solomon Is- guests to Doha for the draw, tude to the Government of Qatar some time by participating in and Morocco to achieve the desired results in For the women’s event, which lands. Iran, Paraguay, Senegal while thanking the ANOC for and the Qatar Olympic Com- major tournaments and holding Group B: Italy, Spain, Mexico and this big tournament. will bring together 12 teams, the and Ukraine are in Group C, and their confi dence in Qatar to host mittee for their enthusiasm and external camps in order to reach Solomon Islands The draw was attended by draw placed Brazil, Denmark, Russia, Japan, Uruguay and El this edition of the Games. commitment to hosting an un- the best degree of readiness for Group C: Iran, Paraguay, Senegal QOC Secretary-General HE Hungary, Argentina, USA and Salvador complete Group D. He added the draws of hand- forgettable ANOC World Beach the tournament. and Ukraine Jassim bin Rashid al-Buenain, Tunisia in Group A, while Group In the women’s football com- ball and football competitions Games. Al-Jaber said after the end of Group D: Russia, Japan, Uruguay ANOC Secretary-General Gun- B comprises Greece, Spain, Po- petition, eight teams have been are crucial steps on the road to “We are delighted to be joined the tournament, the event will and El Salvador illa Lindberg, representatives of land, China, Australia and Viet- divided into two groups, with host this tournament. by representatives from Beach be followed by the General As- the FIFA and the International nam. Spain, Brazil, Cape Verde and The QOC secretary-general Soccer Worldwide and the Inter- sembly of ANOC and the ANOC WOMEN’S BEACH SOCCER Handball Federation (IHF), and In the men’s football event, Mexico in Group A, and Britain, hoped that the fi rst edition of the national Handball Federation for awards ceremony for the best Group A: Spain, Brazil, Cape participating teams. 16 teams were divided into four Russia, USA and Paraguay in ANOC World Beach Games, Qa- this draw. We thank them and all athletes on October 17-18. Verde and Mexico The draw, which will bring to- groups of four. Group A has Bra- Group B. tar 2019, would be a success. participating International Fed- The international beach mul- Group B: Great Britain, Russia, gether 12 teams have Brazil, Swe- zil, Switzerland, UAE and Mo- Speaking ahead of the draw, ANOC’s Lindberg added: “I erations for their excellent co- ti-sport event is being organ- USA and Paraguay FOOTBALL Al Sadd must fi ght until the end, says Xavi AFC isfi ed with his side’s showing in Al Sadd will now host the Riyadh the fi rst half, but even after mak- second leg in Doha’s Jassim Bin ing some changes going into the Hamad Stadium on September second half, Giuliano’s goal over- 16, and Xavi was fi rm that his l Sadd SC head coach whelmed Al Sadd. charges will need to head into the Xavi Hernandez re- “The reason (for the defeat) tie with a never-say-die attitude mains hopeful of con- was that Al Nassr are a strong and elevate their performance. tinuing their 2019 AFC team, and we were not up to the “The second leg in Doha will AChampions League campaign, task. We did not play good foot- be a lot diff erent. We must pre- despite a 2-1 defeat to Al Nassr in ball, like we did recently,” said pare for it well to maintain our the fi rst leg of the quarter-fi nal. Xavi. chances of progressing to the Ali Asad had given the Qa- “We did not control the ball in semi-fi nals.” taris a 21st minute lead but it the required manner. We did not “We lost (this game) but we was countered by Abdulrahman have possession and I’m not hap- haven’t lost out on progression al-Dossari’s close range strike py at all with the performance. or on the title. I spoke with the a minute from the break, before “In the second half, the two players about that in the dress- Giuliano sealed the win for Al teams matched each other. We ing room that there is another Nassr with a fi ne header in the managed to impose ourselves on match to play in Doha and we 72nd minute yesterday. the game but when we did that, have a chance to qualify, and that Al Sadd players celebrate their goal during the AFC Champions The Spain and Barcelona leg- we conceded the second goal and we must fi ght until the last mo- League quarter-final first leg match against Al Nassr in Riyadh on Mon- end admitted that he was unsat- this aff ected us a lot.” ment.” Al Sadd’s coach Xavi Hernandez. day. (AFP) Gulf Times 2 Wednesday, August 28, 2019 FOOTBALL SERIE A Great opportunity for me to help Umm Salal: Murad Naji Doha: MURAD NAJI says he is excited to get an oppor- Lukaku scores as Conte’s tunity to play for Umm Salal in the QNB Stars League this season. The right-back is at Umm Salal on loan from Al Duhail. “Playing for Umm Salal is a new challenge even though I had represented Inter reign starts in style them in one season (2014-15). I like new challenges and I set new goals. This season is vital for me for many reasons. Conte’s arrival at Chinese-owned Inter has raised expectations of a first Serie A title since 2010 I switched from a team like Al Duhail and after winning AFP almost all trophies in Qatar. Milan We had a great time together at Al Duhail for quite some time,” he said elgian forward Romelu Lukaku “Now, it’s a great opportu- scored on his Inter Milan debut nity for me to help Umm Salal. as new coach Antonio Conte’s I’ve assisted many teams and reign got off to a perfect start many teams have, in turn, Bwith a 4-0 win over promoted Lecce on assisted me in my career.