SPORT Wednesday 7 November 2018 PAGE | 27 PAGE | 29 Japan’s ‘Ninja Sharma’s record Boy’ aims to stun ton helps India Mayweather Jr. clinch T20 series The state-of-the-art Al Shaqab Arena Stage set for LGCT final round at Al Shaqab THE PENINSULA DOHA: The world’s premier riders will be joined by three of Qatar’s top entries at this week’s final round of the Longines Global Events such as the Champions Tour (LGCT) to be Longines Global Champions held at Al Shaqab Arena. Tour go a long way Last year’s champion Bassem Mohammed, Asian Games bronze towards fulfilling Al medallist Sheikh Ali bin Khalid Shaqab’s vision of being Al Thani and Hamad Nasser Al a global and leading Qadi will be the home favourites as the battle for the second spot global center for equine will be among a group of seven excellence and providing riders at the Nov 8-10 event. an engaging experience Ali Al Rumaihi, the Event Director, yesterday said the wait for the community. It helps for the star of the hugely popular to promote horsemanship, three-day event ends tomorrow. inculcate passion as well “I welcome riders from around the world for this final leg as promoting Qatar’s of the LGCT season. This event equestrian heritage. As takes place in 15 cities but this was done last year, we week’s edition will be the 6th Marco Danese, Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT) Sports Director, Jan Tops, Founder and President of the LGCT, Ali Al Rumaihi, season for us here in Doha. We Event Director and Qatari rider Sheikh Ali bin Khalid Al Thani pose for a photograph during a press conference held in Doha, yesterday. have also incorporated have the world’s best riders Hathab – Qatar Equestrian Al Shaqab has also organised activities for the whole family including Sheikh Ali bin Khalid and enjoy top class events.” “All in all, we have a great Tour as part of LGCT. As Al Thani who will be competing Sheikh Ali, Qatar’s premier including pony rides, jumping castles, a variety of kids’ activities, series of competition in Qatar.” for top honours,” Al Rumaihi said rider, yesterday said at a pre- outdoor cafes and much more. In addition, the organisers have Jan Tops, founder of LGCT, you are probably aware, at a press conference event press conference: “This set up a bazaar providing local entrepreneurs an opportunity to yesterday said: “It feels great to Hathab is an initiative of yesterday. event like the Champions League be back for another high profile H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad He added: “This event is of show jumping. The riding showcase and promote their products. The organising committee event Al Shaqab, This is a place organised by Al Shaqab. We are business in Qatar is in good encourages equestrian fans and the general public who have where we see the world’s riders Al Thani, President of the working hard to keep the tra- health. We are hoping to have a never attended equestrian events before to experience this putting on special shows every Qatar Olympic Committee. dition of equestrian growing in good event. Last year a Qatari world-class event as well as enjoy fun-filled activities at Al Shaqab. time they compete here.” It is aimed at improving this country. I had to say that the won the championship. Hopefully Tops added: “The Qatari interest just keeps growing. We these events become more ben- riders have become better over the standard of horse have another top event taking eficial to home riders.” putting a lot of pressure on this youngster exactly that. The local the years. They look in shape and riding among Qatari youths place in Qatar. The QOC He added: “I am using a horse horse.” events have been special for promise much. I am sure with and to grow awareness Chairman H E Sheikh Joaan bin with less experience. But I must The popular Qatari rider said them. We need such competi- field open for riders to grab the Hamad Al Thani takes special say that my horse has a lot of riding was becoming popular tions. The organisation is of a high second spot this week, we will see of horsemanship as part interest in such events for young potential. We had won the bronze with each passing day. level as well. The media coverage some exciting battles. Al Shaqab of Qatar’s history and riders. We would like to at the Asian Games. It will a big “We need a good foundation has been very important too,” Arena will once again by the tradition: Ali Al Rumaihi encourage people to come test this week for us. We will be for riders and we are giving the Sheikh Ali said. place to be this week.” Red Star stun Liverpool for first CL win in 26 years AFP Sturridge starting up front and Red Star Belgrade’s Serbian that represents the Albanian flag the English striker blazed over forward Milan Pavkov (centre) during Switzerland’s World Cup BELGRADE: Liverpool face the when it seemed easier to score heads the ball to score against win over Serbia in Russia. threat of crashing out at the with the goal at his mercy on 18 Liverpool during their UEFA Klopp’s men dominated pos- Champions League group stage minutes. Champions League Group C session but were largely after a shock 2-0 defeat to Red That missed proved very second-leg match at the Rajko restricted to efforts from range Star Belgrade in the Serbian costly as four minutes later Liv- Mitic Stadium in Belgrade as Milan Borjan turned Mohamed capital yesterday. erpool trailed. yesterday. Salah’s shot wide before the Milan Pavkov scored twice in Pavkov rose highest in a Egyptian struck the outside of the seven first-half minutes to hand crowded penalty area to power post from the resulting corner. Red Star their first Champions home Marko Marin’s corner to Liverpool are still unbeaten League victory in 26 years. spark wild scenes of 11 games into the Premier League Winners of the European Cup celebration. season, but have now lost their in 1991, Red Star hadn’t made it Moments later Red Star and last four Champions League beyond the qualifying stages of their 55,000 fans packed into the games away from Anfield. the Champions League since the Rajko Mitic stadium were in Elsewhere, Thierry Henry’s following year. dreamland as Pavkov picked up Monaco crashed to an embar- But roared on by a vociferous possession midway inside the rassing 4-0 home defeat by Club home support, the Serbian cham- Liverpool half, strode forward Brugge on Tuesday that left the pions were inspired to condemn and unleashed a powerful strike French side tumbling towards an Liverpool to a second defeat in into Alisson Becker’s top right- early Champions League exit. the group after also losing at hand corner. Giant striker Hans Vanaken Napoli last month. Klopp recognised his initial scored twice, the second from the Last season’s Champions error at half-time by throwing on penalty spot, while Brazilian League finalists paid for a sloppy Firmino and Joe Gomez at the forward Wesley banged in a third start and Jurgen Klopp’s decision break. Red Star had conceded 10 holding Napoli to a 0-0 draw in questioned as the Swiss interna- as Monaco fell three goals behind to make three changes from the Sadio Mane had a great goals in being thrashed by PSG their group opener, they kept Liv- tional’s guile to break down a in just 24 minutes. side that started a 1-1 draw at chance to give the visitors a and Liverpool in their last two erpool at bay after the break. defence was badly missed. Ruud Vormer condemned Arsenal on Saturday. lifeline, but failed to force the ball European encounters. The decision to leave Xherdan Kosovan-born Shaqiri caused Monaco to their heaviest ever Klopp handed a rest to across the line from point-blank However, they are a different Shaqiri back in Britain due to outrage in Serbia with a pro- home loss in Europe as he netted Roberto Firmino with Daniel range. proposition at home and after political tensions will now be Kosovo “double eagle” gesture a fourth with five minutes left. 28 SPORT WEDNESDAY 7 NOVEMBER 2018 Warriors extend winning streak AFP victory over the New Orleans Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) scores against Memphis Pelicans but suffered an injury Grizzlies during the third quarter of their NBA game at Oracle Arena on LOS ANGELES: Klay Thompson scare to star Russell scored 27 points as the Golden Sunday. Westbrook. State Warriors stretched their Westbrook needed to be winning streak to eight games helped off court after spraining with a 117-101 victory over the ankle in the Thunder’s 122-116 Memphis Grizzlies on Monday. victory. Thompson was one of five The 2017 NBA MVP grimaced Warriors players in double-digits in pain after rolling over on his as the NBA champions overcame ankle as he landed on Pelicans a sluggish start to wrap up a player Anthony Davis’s foot after comfortable victory at Oracle going up for a rebound in the Arena. third quarter. After an evenly contested Westbrook attempted to get first half finished at 58-58, the up and hobble off on his own but Warriors produced a breathless eventually needed assistance as burst of scoring in the third he limped straight to the locker quarter to pull clear.