Kuznetsova denies Barty’sy’s bid to return as World No. 1 PAGE 14 SUNDAY, AUGUST 18, 2019 Sri Lanka in chase to win first Test PREMIER LEAGUE against New Zealand at Galle PAGE 15 Chelsea vs Leicester City Al Sadd lift Sheikh Jassim Cup Wolves edge Al Duhail by lone goal as Ali Asad strikes; Coach Xavi wins first trophy AYENI OLUSEGUN DOHA SPANISH legend Xavi Hernan- dez won his first coaching tro- phy as Al Sadd beat Al Duhail 1-0 to lift Sheikh Jassim Cup at the Jassim Bin Hamad Sta- dium on Saturday. Ali Asad’s 14th minute strike saw the Wolves claim a record-extend- ing 15th Super Cup. For a third game in 11 days for both teams, Al Sadd were forced to make three changes due to suspension of Baghdad Bounedjah, Hamed Ismail and Tarek Salman but the Wolves didn’t miss a beat, dominating from the very first minute. The Red Knights, also with- out striker Almoez Ali, suffered two red cards to Luiz Martin and Assim Madebo. Al Sadd threatened to get the opener in the early min- utes as Hashim Abdulatif, who got a rare start in place of the suspended Bounedjah, forced Amine Lecomte into a save. Duhail responded immediately at the other end through Edm- ilson Junior drawing a sharp Al Sadd players celebrate their record 15th Sheikh Jassim Cup triumph at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Saturday. save from Saad al Dosari. New boy Mohanad Ali al- most opened his Duhail ac- Recent Winners count when Salem al Hajri was caught in possession, but O 2001: Al Sadd SC the Iraqi’s first time effort was blocked for a corner kick. O 2002: Al Khor SC Former player and now coach Spanish legend Xavi Hernandez during However, in the 14th min- the prize presentation ceremony at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium ute, Ali Asad continued Al O 2003: Al Shabab 2-1 on Saturday. Sadd’s impressive run against Duhail. Akram Afif beat his O 2004: Al Wakrah SC marker in the box before teeing up Asad in space and the mid- O 2005: Al Gharafa SC fielder made no mistake slot- O 2006: Al Sadd SC ting into the bottom left corner of Lecomte’s goal. O 2007: Al Gharafa SC Al Sadd continued to cre- ate more chances but Haydos O 2008: Al Arabi SC wasted an opportunity on the half hour mark. The Qatari cap- O 2009: Umm Salal SC tain was played on by Akram Afif, who dazzled his defender O 2010: Al Arabi SC before setting up Haydos but the striker’s effort was way O 2011: Al Arabi SC wide off the mark. Asad could have added to O 2012: Al Rayyan SC his tally just before the half time whistle but the striker O 2013: Al Rayyan SC steered his shot wide with the goalie at his mercy. O 2014: Al Sadd SC Yousef Msakni blew Al O 2015: Lekhwiya SC Duhail’s biggest chance of the match right on half time. The Ali Asad celebrates with Akram Afif soon after scoring the match-winning goal against Al Duhail during the O 2016: Lekhwiya SC Tunisian, left unmarked in Sheikh Jassim Cup clash at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Saturday. the box was picked out with a O 2017: Al Sadd SC lovely cross by Edmilson but he ing a fantastic save from Hayd- from inside the box. for the striker to send his effort managed to direct his header os after a lovely interchange of However, the final chance straight at Dosari who parried O 2018: Al Rayyan SC wide from six yards out. passes between the striker and of the match fell to Al Duhail, out to safety. Al Duhail began the second youngster Abdulatif. and Mohammed Muntari will With the victory, Qatar O 2019: Al Sadd SC half with more attacking in- The Wolves had a glorious have a nightmare as he failed Stars League Champlions Al tent and were almost rewarded chance to seal the game with to convert with the goalie at his Sadd go into the season brim- The inaugural Sheikh but Mohanad Ali’s header was five minutes left but substitute mercy in added time. ming with confidence after Jassim Cup held in 1977 palmed away by Dosari. Nam Tae-hee made a mess Edmilson beat his marker winning the first trophy of the was also won by Al Sadd Lecomte kept the Red of the opportunity before Ab- down the left before finding season with QSL set to start on SC. Knights in the game, produc- dulaziz al Ansari fired wide the unmarked Muntari only Wednesday. An Al Duhail player battles for the ball with Al Sadd’s Ali Asad. ASEAN-QFA sign a cooperation agreement The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Qatar Football Association (QFA) signed a cooperation agreement on Sunday to strengthen ties with the various local federations across the continent to benefit from camps and experiences. Sports Sunday, August 18, 2019 13 Elsewhere... VAR keeps City charge at bay Neymar left out again as PSG gear up to face Rennes Tottenham end SAINT-GERMAIN-EN-LAYE: The world’s most expensive foot- baller Neymar will again be absent when Paris Saint-Germain champions’ take on Rennes on Sunday in the second round of Ligue 1 matches, coach Thomas Tuchel said on Saturday. winning run “Ney didn’t finish the training with the squad today,” said AFP Tuchel. “It’s too early. We’re waiting another week for him to LONDON start with the group again.” “When I think of a strong team, it’s with him,” added Tuchel. MANCHESTER City were “Nothing has changed, he has three years of contract.” forced to settle for a 2-2 draw PSG bought Neymar for 222 million euros ($261 million) from against Tottenham after the Barcelona in 2017, but have made clear he craves a return to Premier League champions Spain, whether with his old club or Real Madrid. were denied a dramatic win- Leonardo, the PSG Sporting Director, has confirmed that the ner by VAR, while Liverpool club have held talks with potential buyers. extended their perfect start to “The transfer window will close in a month,” said Tuchel. “For the title race with a 2-1 win at the moment, he’s my player.” Southampton on Saturday. The Brazilian has not played for PSG since he injured his ankle Pep Guardiola’s side failed at the end of May. to win for the first time in 16 PSG beat Nimes in their opening match 3-0. (AFP) Premier League matches dat- ing back to last season follow- ing a controversial finish at the Etihad Stadium. City thought they had sto- len three points when Gabriel Jesus fired home in stoppage- THE GOAL THAT WASN’T TO BE: Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus scores a goal that was later disallowed following a VAR review against time, but their celebrations were Tottenham Hotspur in Manchester on Saturday. The Premier League match ended in a 2-2 draw. (REUTERS) curtailed when a VAR review showed Aymeric Laporte had goal ruled out by VAR. inside three minutes as Erik However, after less than he was substituted for Jesus, flicked the ball on with his arm. City were in front in the Lamela beat slow-to-react City 20 seconds on the pitch as a who was even more frustrated The drama echoed Tot- 20th minute when Kevin De keeper Ederson from the edge replacement for Harry Winks, than his team-mate as he pro- tenham’s Champions League Bruyne’s sublime cross was of the area. Brazilian forward Lucas Moura tested to the officials at the fi- quarter-final second leg met by Sterling at the far post City’s lead was restored in climbed higher than Kyle nal whistle. triumph at City’s expense and the City winger headed the 35th minute when Sergio Walker to head Tottenham SCORELINE: Manchester City last season when they went back across Hugo Lloris for his Aguero glanced in a close- level from Lamela’s corner. 2 (Sterling 20’, Aguero 35’) vs through on away goals after fourth goal of the season. range finish from another pin- Aguero exchanged angry Tottenham Hotspur 2 (Lamela Raheem Sterling had a late But Tottenham hit back point De Bruyne cross. words with Guardiola when 23’, Lucas Moura 56’). Liverpool equal club win record Neymar of PSG: Still recovering from his ankle injury Guardiola backs Sterling to reach Pukki hat-trick 30-goal mark this season MANCHESTER (UK): Pep Guardiola wants to see the on-form hero for Norwich; Raheem Sterling break the 30-goal barrier for the first time in Arsenal beat his career this season, but will only judge the England forward on his overall contribution to the Manchester City team. Burnley 2-1 Sterling has started the new campaign in prolific form, scoring in the Community Shield against Liverpool before netting a hat- DPA trick in the 5-0 win at West Ham to start the Premier League LONDON season last Saturday. He scored a career-best 25 last season as he collected the LIVERPOOL matched a club Football Writers’ Player of the Year award as City won the record with their 11th consecu- domestic treble. tive Premier League victory on But Sterling has spoken of his hunger to score goals being Saturday, as promoted Norwich stronger than ever with the 30-mark now in his sights. City picked up their first win.